The Influence of Surface Treatment on Wettability of TiNi-Based Alloy

Abstract

The results of an investigation of surface wettability of TiNi-based alloys by water and DMEM-medium are presented. A comparative analysis of the wetting angle is performed after processing the specimens by grinding, sand blasting, oxidation in air, etching in a solution of acids, processing by vapor, hydrogen peroxide, and detergent solution in an ultrasonic bath. It is shown that oxidation in air and etching in acids increase the surface hydrophilic property of TiNi-based alloys. The highest hydrophilic value with the water wetting angle about 30° is achieved in the case of vapor treatment following sand blasting and treatment of the oxidized specimens with hydrogen peroxide. The differing influence of treatments on the wetting angle is attributed to variations in the surface energy of TiNi-based alloy specimens, which is affected by the microrelief and structural-chemical characteristics of the surface.