Surface Roughness Characterization of Additive Manufactured Ti6Al4V

Additive manufacturing with metal powder is gaining popularity because of the possibility to manufacture products of any geometry without extensive post processing. One of the most popular metals to use in additive manufacturing and in the role of bone implants is Ti6Al4V. Ti6Al4V is corrosion resistant and biocompatible, which is why the alloy is widely used for load bearing implants such as knee implants and intramedullary rods for compound bone fractures. Additive manufacturing and conventionally manufactured Ti6Al4V samples were used throughout the duration of the experiments. The purpose of this project is to use heat treatment and cooling methods to alter the surface roughness and hardness of the Ti6Al4V samples for the role of bone implants. Samples were heat treated at 870°C and 600°C and were cooled using air cooling and water quenching cooling methods. Atomic force microscopy and Rockwell C hardness tests quantified the surface roughness and hardness of the Ti6Al4V samples. Optical microscopy and three-dimensional images produced by the atomic force microscopy provided qualitative data on the surface roughness of the materials. By being able to manipulate the material properties of the Ti6Al4V samples with heat treatment and cooling methods, improved orthopedic implants are able to be created by applying these methods in industry.