Surface modification of Co-Cr-Mo implant alloy by laser interference lithography

This article studies the feasibility of using laser interference lithography (LIL) for surface modification of Co-Cr-Mo implant alloy which has been universally applied to joint materials in total joint replacements. The tribological performances and surface topography of the samples were studied by RTEC micro-friction and wear tester and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Hardness testing of the modified sample surfaces was carried out using the micro-hardness tester (MH-60). Experimental results indicate that the sample surface modified with laser interference lithography presents better tribological performances and hardness properties than those untreated materials, including a 64% friction coefficient reduction and 40% hardness enhancement, which is very promising to significantly reduce the mean revision rate of post primary total hip replacements in the future. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.