On the ultraviolet laser surface texturing and wettability characterization of PEEK hemisphere

Abstract While polyether ether ketone (PEEK) possesses excellent mechanical and biomedical properties, its surface functionality can be further enhanced by laser surface texturing. This paper experimentally investigates the ultraviolet laser ablation-based manufacturing and related wettability characterization of high-precision textures on PEEK hemispheres. Firstly, the motion simulation of multi-axis linkage laser micromachining of micro-textures on spherical surface is conducted, followed by post-processing to obtain tool path trajectories and according NC codes. Then, micro-textures on spherical PEEK surface is fabricated by utilizing a five-axis linkage laser micromachining platform, for which the laser processing parameters are further optimized to enhance the quality of micro-texture on spherical surface. Finally, surface wettability characterizations of micro-textures on the hemispherical PEEK obtained under optimized laser processing parameters are conducted. The research findings reported in this paper provide theoretical basis and technical methods for the manufacturing and related applications of PEEK components.