Effects of Ti6Al4V Substrate Roughness on the Surface Morphology, Mechanical Properties, and Cell Proliferation of Diamond-like Carbon Films
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study investigated how Ti6Al4V substrate topography affects the performance of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings. Substrates with four finishes (unpolished, #100, #400, #800 grit) were coated, and their morphology, wettability, bonding structure, mechanical properties, and biological response were examined. Characterization was performed using AFM, SEM, contact angle tests, Raman spectroscopy, and nanoindentation. Biocompatibility was evaluated with A549 epithelial cells. DLC deposition reduced roughness while partly preserving surface features. Increasing Ra was associated with lower surface free energy and ID/IG ratios. It also correlated with higher hardness and modulus, reflecting greater sp3 bonding. Biological results, however, indicated that surface organization was more decisive than Ra magnitude. The #100-grit surface, with aligned anisotropic grooves, supported uniform wetting, protein adsorption, and sustained proliferation. In contrast, the unpolished and smoother surfaces did not maintain long-term growth. These findings suggest that anisotropy, rather than Ra alone, plays a key role in optimizing DLC-coated Ti6Al4V implants.
Source: Coatings
Authors: Chehung Wei, Bo-Cheng Wu, Min-Sheng Hung
Institutions: Tatung University, National Chiayi University
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanics of Materials
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4414298446