Ultrafast laser-induced surface structuring of anti-fouling steel surfaces for biomedical applications
Cholkar, AbhijitORCID: 0000-0003-4608-3203, McCann, RonanORCID: 0000-0002-2071-0785, Kinahan, David J.ORCID: 0000-0003-1968-2016 and Brabazon, DermotORCID: 0000-0003-3214-6381
(2022)
Ultrafast laser-induced surface structuring of anti-fouling steel surfaces for biomedical applications.
In: 17th International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, 27 June - 1 July 2022, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
ISBN 978-0-7918-8580-2
Metallic surfaces are increasingly used in medical
applications due to their favorable material properties such as
high strength and biocompatibility. In medical applications antifouling
properties are an important requirement especially for
implants and medical devices which come into contact with
different types of fluid streams. These should be anti-fouling in
order to prevent contamination and corrosion. Laser processing
methods such as ultrafast laser processing is a one-step and
scalable process for surface texturing. This process can be used
to produce well-defined surface nano- and microscale
superficial textures such as Laser-induced Periodic Surface
Structures (LIPSS) which can enhance the anti-fouling
capability of the surface.
In this study, micro and nano scaled LIPSS structures are
manufactured on a biocompatible grade stainless steel 316L
substrate using an ultrafast (<370 fs) and low power (<4 W)
laser system. With an aim to optimize the anti-fouling properties,
laser process parameters such as pulse energy, pulse repetition
rate and beam scanning speed were varied to produce
microstructures on the stainless-steel surface of varying
dimensions. Surface roughness was analyzed using a laser
surface profilometer and changes in the hydrophobicity were
examined using water contact angle goniometry.