CO² laser modification of the wettability characteristics of a magnesia partially stabilized zirconia bioceramic

This paper describes the utilization of a 3 kW continuous wave CO₂ laser to modify the wettability characteristics of the magnesia partially stabilized zirconia (MgO-PSZ) bioceramic and analyses the changes in the physical characteristics of the MgO-PSZ surface following the CO₂ laser interaction. The measurement with a set of test liquids revealed that CO₂ laser surface treatment of the MgO-PSZ brought about a reduction in the contact angles, θ, indicating that the wettability characteristics of the MgO-PSZ had been enhanced. It was subsequently deduced that the factors active in causing the observed modification in the wettability characteristics of the MgO-PSZ were the increase in the surface O₂ content and the increase in the polar component of the surface energy, γ_sv^p. Furthermore, it was noted that the considerable decrease in contact angle was disproportional to the increase in surface roughness, showing surface roughness plays a minor role in inducing changes of the wettability characteristics of the MgO-PSZ. The value of this paper is that establishes the CO₂ laser as a controllable and flexible process for improving the surface properties of the MgO-PSZ bioceramic.