Laser Induced Plasma of Titanium (Ti) as a Source of Thin Film Deposition on Mg-alloy used in Biomedical Implants
Abstract:
Laser induced plasma is a promising tool for generation of ions, electrons, neutrals as well as excited species with vast range of applications in material processing, improving electrical, optical, and mechanical properties as well as oxidation resistance of many materials. Magnesium alloys are widely used in biomedicine and industrial applications. The significant effects of laser fluence and nature of background gases (Ar,O2 ) on sputtering yield, structural modifications, and on mechanical properties of laser irradiated Mg-alloy have been discussed. The sputtering yield of laser induced plasma of mg-alloy has been calculated by using piezoelectric effect principle-based device, i.e. Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM). X-Ray Diffraction analysis (XRD) has been performed to confirm the oxide formation of laser treated samples in O2 environment. The Vickers Micro-hardness testing reveals that hardness of laser irradiated Mg-alloy is increased by increasing fluence in both environments as compared to untreated sample. Mg-alloy being biocompatible, are widely used in biomedical implant. But due to rapid corrosion and high degradation rate, it is desirable to change its properties by coating Ti layer on it. The thin films deposition, based on laser ablation called pulsed laser deposition (PLD) can be used to modify the material characteristics like hardness, conductivity, corrosion resistance and bio compatibility. The properties of surgical magnesium alloy can be improved by pulsed laser deposition of titanium (Ti) in different ambient environments.
