Influence of 3D-printed PEEK on the tribo-corrosion performance of Ti6Al4V biomedical alloy

Federl, Dominik Jonas (author), Al-Rjoub, Abbas (author)

This study investigates the tribo-corrosion behavior of Ti6Al4V biomedical alloy, when sliding against fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D-printed polyether ether ketone (PEEK) pins in a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. This research aims to evaluate wear mechanisms and electrochemical responses under simulated physiological conditions, providing critical insights for enhancing the durability and performance of biomedical implants. Potentiodynamic polarization tests demonstrate that the Ti6Al4V alloy possesses excellent corrosion resistance, which is further enhanced under sliding conditions compared to the test without sliding. When tested against 3D-printed PEEK, the alloy exhibits a mixed wear mechanism characterized by both abrasive and adhesive wear. Open-circuit potential (OCP) measurement of Ti6Al4V demonstrates the alloy’s superior electrochemical stability, indicating high corrosion resistance and a favorable coefficient of friction. These findings highlight the potential of 3D-printed PEEK as a viable alternative for biomedical applications, offering rapid patient-specific prototyping, tunable mechanical properties, and improved surface adaptability compared to conventional materials.

• Language: English
• Keywords: corrosion resistance, tribo-corrosion, friction, Ti6Al4V, 3D-printed PEEK
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FS - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 12 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 13, iss. 7 , art. 283
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-171046
• UDC: 539.92
• ISSN on article: 2075-4442
• DOI: 10.3390/lubricants13070283
• COBISS.SI-ID: 244201731
• Publication date in RUL: 29.07.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Lubricants
• Shortened title: Lubricants
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2075-4442
• COBISS.SI-ID: 12353563

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Projects

• Funder: ARIS - Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
• Project number: P2-0231
• Name: Tribologija

• Funder: Marie-Sklodowska Curie COFUND
• Project number: 5100-237/2023-7
• Name: Seal of Excellence