Sliding Contact Wear Damage of EBM built Ti6Al4V: Influence of Process Induced Anisotropic Microstructure

Process-induced directional microstructure is identified as one of the key factors of anisotropic mechanical properties. This directional property significantly affects surface contact fatigue and corrosion of electron beam melting (EBM) built biomedical implants. In the current study, material removal on EBM built titanium (Ti6Al4V) subjected to reciprocating motion of commercially pure titanium spherical slider is investigated to identify the influence of the process-induced layered structure and environments on wear damage. Specimens developed by two different build orientations are mechanically stimulated using different sliding directions with nominally elastic normal load in dry, passivating, and synovial environments. It was noticed that EBM orientation significantly changes wear behavior in ambient environment. Wear resistance of mill-annealed Ti6Al4V was improved in passivating environment. Implications to improve useful life of orthopedic implants are discussed.