Influence of Cnt Mixed-Edm Process on Coated Surface Characteristics of 316l Steel for Biomedical Application

Biocompatible and hard coated surface of 316L steel can be synthesized using the carbon nanotubes (CNT) suspended-EDM process. This research focuses on the influence of CNT on the treated 316L steel properties for the biomedical application and develops a relationship between the process variables and the material’s properties. Following the Taguchi’s L9 design, CNT is added in the EDM oil to synthesize a biocompatible and hard coating. A few characterization tools such as MTT assays, goniometer, Vicker’s hardness, scanning electron microscope (SEM), atom force microscope (AFM), X-ray diffraction (powder XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) were adopted in this study. A thin layer of 14.65 µm, which attributes to a high wettability is found. The morphological images confirm a crack free, micro and nano porous surface. Compositional analysis ensures the carbides, intermetallic and oxides formation on the treated surface. Microhardness of 316L steel is improved to about 86%. Most importantly, approximately 70% cells show alive, which witnesses the biocompatibility of CNT incorporated coating. This work shows an improvement in the surface properties of 316L steel leading to the potential bio-devices