Synergistic Enhancement of Wear Resistance in Zirconium Alloys via Combined Laser Texturing and Thermal Oxidation

Zirconium (Zr)-based alloys have great potential for orthopedic implants due to their excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, untreated Zr-based alloys exhibit inadequate wear resistance, which limits their service life as joint prostheses. This study employed a combined surface texturing and thermal oxidation approach to enhance wear resistance. Biomimetic micro-textures were fabricated on the alloy surface via laser processing, followed by high-temperature oxidation to produce a textured ceramic coating. The influence of micro-texture diameter on anti-friction performance was systematically investigated. Results demonstrated significant improvements in hardness and wettability. Rotary friction tests were performed using a pin-on-disc tribometer. Tests revealed that ceramic-textured specimens outperformed smooth surfaces in terms of friction reduction and wear resistance. Specifically, the friction coefficient was reduced by 25.24%, with a maximum wear reduction rate of 27.7%. This study provides a novel strategy for improving the surface properties of Zr-based alloys.