Surface Modification of Co-Cr Alloy for Orthopaedic Applications

This monograph focuses on the surface modification of medical-grade Co-Cr (ASTM F75) alloy using the Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) to enhance the biological response, corrosion resistance, and surface properties of metallic implants. The aim is to improve long-term implant functionality by addressing critical challenges such as inflammatory responses, bacterial infections, wear, corrosion, and loosening, which often lead to implant failure and revision surgeries. The work is structured into three stages: in Stage I, a full factorial experimental array was designed by varying current and pulse-on-time to analyze the influence of spark energy on the Co-Cr alloy surface; in Stage II, Taguchi’s L18 orthogonal array was employed to examine the effects of discharge current, pulse-on-time, pause time, dielectric medium, and tool electrode, with corrosion reactivity assessed in biological environments using potentiodynamic techniques; in Stage III, tribological properties and in-vitro cytotoxicity were studied through wear rate and coefficient of friction tests on a pin-on-disc tribometer in ringer solution. Surface characterization using SEM, EDX, and XRD provided detailed insights into the impact of EDM on surface features. This book will serve as a valuable resource for researchers and students in biomaterials, offering guidance on recent trends and applications for enhancing implant bioactivity, adaptability, and durability.

Dr. Amit Mahajan is an Associate Professor at Khalsa College of Engineering and Technology, Amritsar, India. His research interests include additive manufacturing, surface modification of biomaterials, and electrical discharge machining. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from I.K. Gujral Punjab Technical University, Punjab, India, with his research interests in additive manufacturing, surface coating, bio-implants, and non-conventional machining. Currently, he works on the fabrication of alloys with a proper fraction composition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and µ-hydroxyapatite (µ-HAp) via additive manufacturing. He has contributed multiple research papers and chapters to international journals, books, and conferences. He has also edited a Springer book and conference proceedings. He has received several recognitions, including the Best Researcher Award (2020) from the Khalsa Society, the ISTE Best Teacher Award (2020), and the ISTE Best Researcher Award (2015). He also contributes as a reviewer for several international journals.

Dr. Sandeep Devgan is an Associate Professor at Khalsa College of Engineering and Technology, Amritsar, India. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from I.K. Gujral Punjab Technical University, Punjab, India. His research interests include CNTs-based nanotechnology, surface modification of biomaterials, and powder-mixed electrical discharge machining. Currently, he works on alloy fabrication with the proper fraction composition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and µ-hydroxyapatite (µ-HAp) via additive manufacturing. He has contributed multiple research papers and chapters to international journals, books, and conferences. He has also edited a Springer book. He has received the ISTE Best Teacher Award (2022) and the ISTE Best Researcher Award (2015). He also currently serves as a reviewer for leading international journals.

Dr. Gurpreet Singh is currently an Early-Doc Fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where he earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering as a Prime Minister's Research Fellow (PMRF). His interdisciplinary research spans biomimetics, soft tissue mechanics, artificial tissue development, computational biomechanics, and medical intervention design. During his Ph.D., he developed biomechanical models for diabetic foot ulcers and designed a modular insole for pressure offloading. He has also worked on developing artificial tissue surrogates and computational models of brain aneurysms, integrating experimental and simulation approaches. Previously, he worked on surface modification of metallic biomaterials using electro-discharge machining to enhance bioactivity. He has contributed multiple peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in international journals and conferences. He has also authored some monograph books and co-edited a volume. He has received several recognitions, including the Top Cited Paper Award (IOP Publishing 2023) for his review article on the mechanical properties of soft human tissues, the Research Excellence Travel Award (RETA) from IIT Delhi in 2024, the Dogra Educational Endowment Award (2025), and a nomination for the Amit Garg Memorial Research Excellence Award. He is serving as a reviewer for leading international journals.