This month I have carried out some SEM observations on titanium surface treated by electroerosion machining. Method of electroerosion allows for very precise shaping of material by its removal in a very controlled manner. During the process material submerged in dielectric liquid and high voltage is applied between the material and special electrode. By controlling voltage and space (gap) between material and electrode, electric discharge is created. During the discharge in the gap a plasma tunnel is created that conducts electricity, but also releases high amounts of energy. This energy is turned into temperature (up to 4000 C). During that discharge material is rapidly melted and ablated. After the discharge ends, plasma tunnel breaks down, and rapidly implodes washing away melted material.
This type of machining was chosen as a possibility for producing parts of implant-distractor. Therefore its impact on titanium surface layer properties and morphology is being studied.