Synergistic effects of etching and electropolishing on additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V scaffolds for biomedical implants
(2026) Additive Manufacturing — Vol. 116, p. 105083 (2026)
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- Authors
Debuisson, Floriane 
Santos-Coquillat, Ana
- Abstract
- Additive manufacturing (AM) of Ti alloys, particularly for complex-shaped prosthetics in biomedicine, offers a promising solution for improving biomaterial applications in the human body. However, as-printed titanium alloys often present defects, such as partially molten particles and surface heterogeneities, which can hinder implant integration and cell-material interactions. This study investigates, for the first time, the impact of two surface treatments combined-chemical etching and electropolishing-on a scaffold-shaped Ti-6Al-4V alloy fabricated via laser powder bed fusion. While neither treatment achieved an optimal finish, their combination (etching + electropolishing) significantly reduced surface roughness and promoted a thicker, more homogeneous TiO₂ layer, resulting in a surface free of unmelted particles and a smooth finish. The materials were biocom-patible with stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP) in direct contact assays. While all scaffolds supported cell viability, the surface-modified candidate allowed a monolayer formation after 15 days in contact with the cells. Also, when seeded onto the material, an enhanced tissue-like matrix development was found after 28 days. An increased expression of CD90 and a conserved expression of CD73 and CD105 (positive stem cell markers) were observed after 28 days of culture, whereas osteogenic differentiation markers (Collagen I, alkaline phosphatase, and Runx2) were also increased, presenting a mixed population within the 3D structure. Additionally, no signs of oxidative stress were observed after 24 h with macrophages. These results demonstrate that combining etching and electropolishing for AM Ti alloys is a promising strategy for enhancing the biomedical performance of 3D-printed Ti alloys.
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Citations
del Olmo, R., Revilla, R. I., Debuisson, F., Baert, K., Van Hooreweder, B., Rieux, A. d., De Graeve, I., & Santos-Coquillat, A. (2026). Synergistic effects of etching and electropolishing on additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V scaffolds for biomedical implants. Additive Manufacturing, 116, 105083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2026.105083 (Original work published 2026)