Surface roughness of Ti6Al4V samples produced by laser powder bed fusion for bone implants

Abstract

This study describes the surface roughness of heat-treated Ti6Al4V ELI samples without surface finishing (as-built condition) depending on the position of the build plate. Surface roughness was studied at the top and side surfaces of horizontal and vertical samples using a profilometer and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Morphology of tested samples is shown. It was shown that the top and side surfaces of vertical and horizontal samples had different morphologies, but they had fairly close roughness values, since the formation of roughness was mainly associated with sticking of the powder material both on the upper surface of the samples and on the side surfaces. It was found that samples that were far away from the argon inlet and recoater start line had higher surface roughness.