{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,24]],"date-time":"2026-04-24T04:52:29Z","timestamp":1777006349263,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":50,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"8","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,16]],"date-time":"2026-04-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1776297600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Materials"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Previous studies of nitrogen and carbonitride layers on titanium alloys have mainly focused on cast or wrought materials. These traditional manufacturing methods are increasingly being replaced by additive methods, which allow the geometry of the manufactured product to be personalized. In the case of multi-component structures, and implant systems in particular, the hardness and abrasion resistance of the surface are insufficient. Therefore, these surfaces must be modified to improve these properties. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the properties of surface-modified Ti64 ELI alloy samples produced by the additive Direct Metal Laser Sintering method. To increase the hardness and abrasion resistance of the surface, a diffusion layer of TiN was produced under glow discharge conditions on samples previously heat-treated at temperatures of 800 \u00b0C, 910 \u00b0C, and 1020 \u00b0C. Since these implants remain in the body, it is important to sterilize them beforehand. Therefore, this study included samples after steam sterilization, and the results were compared to unsterilized samples. This study evaluated the structure of the material, the phase composition of the layer, the topography and wettability of the surface, along with the surface energy (before sterilization \u03b8av &gt; 106\u00b0), resistance to pitting corrosion, hardness, and tribological properties.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ma19081604","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,16]],"date-time":"2026-04-16T14:05:36Z","timestamp":1776348336000},"page":"1604","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Functionalization of the Surface of Ti6Al4V Alloy Samples Printed Using Additive Technology DMLS for Orthopedic Applications Using Glow Discharge Treatment"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"19","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-5180-5269","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gabriela","family":"Wielgus","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomaterials and Medical Devices Engineering, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Roosevelta 40 Street, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9285-1272","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Wojciech","family":"Kajzer","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomechanics, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Roosevelta 40 Street, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0821-1756","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Julia","family":"Liso\u0144-Kubica","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomaterials and Medical Devices Engineering, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Roosevelta 40 Street, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Aleksandra","family":"\u017burawska","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomaterials and Medical Devices Engineering, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Roosevelta 40 Street, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Jakub","family":"W\u0119\u017cowicz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomaterials and Medical Devices Engineering, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Roosevelta 40 Street, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5881-8380","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Tomasz","family":"Borowski","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1209-0256","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Bogus\u0142awa","family":"Adamczyk-Cie\u015blak","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9609-6726","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Anita","family":"Kajzer","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomaterials and Medical Devices Engineering, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Roosevelta 40 Street, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kajzer, A., Ceglarska, M., Sura, N., Kajzer, W., Borowski, T., Tarnowski, M., and Pilecki, Z. (2020). Effect of Nitrided and Nitrocarburised Austenite on Pitting and Crevice Corrosion Resistance of 316LVM Steel Implants. Materials, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma13235484"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"122","DOI":"10.1111\/nyas.15374","article-title":"Surface modification of NiTi alloys: Biological effects of tantalum oxide coatings","volume":"1550","author":"Taratuta","year":"2025","journal-title":"Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"13264","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.langmuir.5c00928","article-title":"The Effect of TiN Coating on the Physicochemical Properties of Ti-13Nb-13Zr Alloy for Biomedical Applications","volume":"41","author":"Taratuta","year":"2025","journal-title":"Langmuir"},{"key":"ref_4","first-page":"61","article-title":"Influence of sterilization and exposure to the Ringer\u2019s solution on physicochemical properties of nitrocarburized 316 LVM steel","volume":"26","author":"Kajzer","year":"2024","journal-title":"Acta Bioeng. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"121","DOI":"10.37190\/ABB-02351-2023-03","article-title":"Properties of biodegradable polymer coatings with hydroxyapatite on a titanium alloy substrate","volume":"26","author":"Goldsztajn","year":"2024","journal-title":"Acta Bioeng. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Marin, E., and Lanzutti, A. (2024). Biomedical Applications of Titanium Alloys: A Comprehensive Review. Materials, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma17010114"},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"1","article-title":"Investigation of titanium-based biomaterials used in implant applications","volume":"2","author":"Findik","year":"2024","journal-title":"BME Horiz."},{"key":"ref_8","first-page":"3148","article-title":"Verma, Titanium based biomaterial for bone implants: A mini review","volume":"26","author":"Rajesh","year":"2020","journal-title":"Mater. Proc."},{"key":"ref_9","first-page":"201","article-title":"Prospects on Titanium Biomaterials","volume":"8","author":"Baltatu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Eur. J. Mater. Sci. Eng."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gzik-Zroska, B., Joszko, K., Pi\u0105tek, A., Wola\u0144ski, W., Kawlewska, E., Szarek, A., Kajzer, W., and Stradomski, G. (2025). The Influence of Hot Isostatic Pressing on the Mechanical Properties of Ti-6Al-4V Samples Printed Using the LENS Method. Materials, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma18030612"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zwei-Chieng Chang, J., Tsai, P.-I., Yen-Ping Kuo, M., Sun, J.-S., Chen, S.-Y., and Shen, H.-H. (2019). Augmentation of DMLS Biomimetic Dental Implants with Weight-Bearing Strut to Balance of Biologic and Mechanical Demands: From Bench to Animal. Materials, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma12010164"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kajzer, W., Wielgus, G., and Kajzer, A. (2024). Mechanical and Physicochemical Properties of Ti6Al4V Alloy After Plastic Working and 3D Printing Intended for Orthopedics Implants. Appl. Sci., 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/app142311181"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kajzer, A., Wielgus, G., Drobina, K., \u017burawska, A., and Kajzer, W. (2025). The Influence of Heat and Surface Treatment on the Functional Properties of Ti6Al4V Alloy Samples Obtained by Additive Technology for Applications in Personalized Implantology. Appl. Sci., 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/app15158311"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"127","DOI":"10.18311\/jmmf\/2022\/30681","article-title":"An overview of direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technology for metal 3D printing","volume":"70","author":"Humnabad","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Mines Met. Fuels"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Koju, N., Niraula, S., and Fotovvati, B. (2022). Additively Manufactured Porous Ti6Al4V for Bone Implants: A Review. Metals, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/met12040687"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"116013","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mseb.2022.116013","article-title":"Effect of stress state on the mechanical behavior of 3D printed porous Ti6Al4V scaffolds produced by laser powder bed fusion","volume":"286","author":"Nelson","year":"2022","journal-title":"Mater. Sci. Eng. B"},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"307","article-title":"Choroba zwyrodnieniowa staw\u00f3w","volume":"Volume 50","author":"Klimiuk","year":"2012","journal-title":"Wielka Interna Reumatologia Wydanie II"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1515\/mt-2023-0328","article-title":"Performance of additively Tantimethanon,6Al4V ELI finger joints: Biomechanical testing and evaluation for arthritis management","volume":"66","author":"Bussayasripatt","year":"2023","journal-title":"Mater. Test."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"126618","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jtemb.2020.126618","article-title":"Comparative analysis of corrosion resistance between beta titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloys: A systematic review","volume":"62","author":"Tardelli","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Trace Elem. Med. Biol."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1676","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(12)60273-6","article-title":"Peripheral neuropathy after hip replacement failure: Is vanadium the culprit?","volume":"379","author":"Moretti","year":"2012","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"30","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jtemb.2016.12.001","article-title":"Aluminium in brain tissue in familial Alzheimer\u2019s disease","volume":"40","author":"Mirza","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Trace Elem. Med. Biol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Krasicka-Cydzik, E. (2012). Anodic layer formation on titanium and its alloys for biomedical applications. Titanium Alloys\u2014Towards Achieving Enhanced Properties for Diversified Applications, IntechOpen.","DOI":"10.5772\/34395"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"304","DOI":"10.1016\/j.matchar.2011.01.002","article-title":"Micro-arc oxidation of Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al7Nb alloys for biomedical applications","volume":"62","author":"Cimenoglu","year":"2011","journal-title":"Mater. Character."},{"key":"ref_24","first-page":"55","article-title":"Anodic oxidation of titanium from technical aspects to biomedical applications","volume":"9","author":"Diamanti","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Appl. Biomater. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cirp.2020.04.024","article-title":"Identification of oxidation process of TiALN coatings versus heat resistant aerospace alloys based on diffusion couples and tool wear tests","volume":"69","author":"Grzesik","year":"2020","journal-title":"CIRP Ann."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"781","DOI":"10.1179\/1743284714Y.0000000742","article-title":"Microstructure\u2013property relationships in TRIP aided medium-C bainitic steel with lamellar retained austenite","volume":"31","author":"Grajcar","year":"2015","journal-title":"Mater. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"60","article-title":"Influence of RCS process on the structure and mechanical properties of CuSn6 alloy","volume":"62","author":"Nuckowski","year":"2013","journal-title":"Arch. Mater. Sci. Eng."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"158896","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jallcom.2021.158896","article-title":"Shaping the structure and properties of titanium and Ti6Al7Nb titanium alloy in low-temperature plasma nitriding processes","volume":"864","author":"Tarnowski","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Alloys Compd."},{"key":"ref_29","first-page":"73","article-title":"Improvement of titanium alloy for biomedical applications by nitriding carbonitriding process under glow discharge conditions","volume":"11","author":"Czarnowska","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Mater. Sci: Mater. Med"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8917","DOI":"10.1166\/jnn.2011.3474","article-title":"Microstructure biocompatibility of titanium oxides produced on nitrided surface layer under glow discharge conditions","volume":"11","author":"Czarnowska","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"234","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2019.01.079","article-title":"Effect of the deformation on nitrocarburizing microstructure of the cold deformed Ti-6Al-4V alloy","volume":"362","author":"Sun","year":"2019","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_32","unstructured":"Wierzcho\u0144, T., Czarnowska, E., and Krupa, D. (2004). In\u017cynieria Powierzchni w Wytwarzaniu Biomateria\u0142\u00f3w Tytanowych, Oficyna Wydawnicza Politechniki Warszawskiej."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"473","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2014.10.043","article-title":"New estimate of phase sequence in diffusive layer formed on plasma nitrided Ti-6Al-4V alloy","volume":"259","author":"Morgiel","year":"2014","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"382","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apsusc.2017.12.028","article-title":"Structure and hemocompatibility of nanocrystalline titanium nitride produced under glow-discharge conditions","volume":"436","author":"Czarnowska","year":"2018","journal-title":"Appl. Surf. Sci."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shen, H., and Wang, L. (2024). Enhancement of Wear and Corrosion Resistance of Ti6Al4V Alloy through Hollow Cathode Discharge-Assisted Plasma Nitriding. Materials, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma17174386"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"129367","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2023.129367","article-title":"A comprehensive study on the fatigue properties of duplex surface treated Ti6Al4V by plasma nitriding and DLC coating","volume":"458","author":"Yetim","year":"2023","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"43979","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ceramint.2024.08.249","article-title":"Enhanced bioactivity and mechanical properties of silicon-infused titanium oxide coatings formed by micro-arc oxidation on selective laser melted Ti13Nb13Zr alloy","volume":"50","author":"Shimabukuro","year":"2024","journal-title":"Ceram. Int."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"16603","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ceramint.2023.02.018","article-title":"Effect of hybrid modification by ceramic layer formation in MAO process and laser remelting on the structure of titanium bio-alloy Ti13Nb13Zr","volume":"49","author":"Sypniewska","year":"2023","journal-title":"Ceram. Int."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"132384","DOI":"10.1016\/j.matlet.2022.132384","article-title":"Tribo-functional PVD thin films deposited onto additively manufactured Ti6Al7Nb for biomedical applications","volume":"321","author":"Tillmann","year":"2022","journal-title":"Mater. Lett."},{"key":"ref_40","unstructured":"(2026, April 11). EOS Titanium Ti64 Grade 23\u2014Material Data Sheet, Metal Solutions. Available online: https:\/\/www.eos.info\/metal-solutions\/metal-materials\/data-sheets\/mds-eos-titanium-ti64-grade-23."},{"key":"ref_41","unstructured":"(2026, April 11). EOS Titanium Ti64 for EOS M 300-4\u2014Material Data Sheet. Available online: https:\/\/www.eos.info\/metal-solutions\/data-sheets\/titanium\/pds-eos-titanium-ti64-grade23-eos-m-300-4-40um."},{"key":"ref_42","unstructured":"(2021). Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS)\u2014Surface Texture: ArealPart 2: Terms, Definitions and Surface Texture Parameters (Standard No. ISO 25178-2:2021)."},{"key":"ref_43","unstructured":"(2025). Biologiczna Ocena Wyrob\u00f3w Medycznych\u2014Cz\u0119\u015b\u0107 1: Ocena i Badanie w Procesie Zarz\u0105dzania Ryzykiem (Standard No. PN-EN ISO 10993-15)."},{"key":"ref_44","unstructured":"(2018). Metale: Pomiar Twardo\u015bci Sposobem Vickersa. Cz\u0119\u015b\u0107 1 Metoda Bada\u0144 (Standard No. PN-EN ISO 6507-1)."},{"key":"ref_45","unstructured":"(2026, March 03). Osprey\u00ae Ti-6Al-4V-ELI (Grade 23). Available online: https:\/\/www.metalpowder.sandvik\/en\/webshop\/metal-powders\/titanium-alloys\/osprey-ti-6al-4v-grade-23\/."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"354","DOI":"10.1080\/02670836.2018.1466418","article-title":"Decomposition of deformed \u03b1\u2032(\u03b1\u2033) martensitic phase in Ti\u20136Al\u20134V alloy","volume":"35","author":"Motyka","year":"2019","journal-title":"Mater. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"151639","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apsusc.2021.151639","article-title":"Surface roughening of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy plasma nitrided at cathode potential","volume":"574","author":"Morgiel","year":"2022","journal-title":"Appl. Surf. Sci."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"125268","DOI":"10.1016\/j.surfcoat.2019.125268","article-title":"TEM investigations of active screen plasma nitrided Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al7Nb alloys","volume":"383","author":"Szymkiewicz","year":"2020","journal-title":"Surf. Coat. Technol."},{"key":"ref_49","first-page":"126","article-title":"Influence of surface modification on physicochemical properties of titanium used for blood contacting implants","volume":"17","author":"Kajzer","year":"2014","journal-title":"Eng. Biomater."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lekoadi, P., Tlotleng, M., Annan, K., Maledi, N., and Masina, B. (2021). Evaluation of heat treatment parameters on microstructure and hardness properties\/of high-speed selective laser melted Ti6Al4V. Metals, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/met11020255"}],"container-title":["Materials"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1996-1944\/19\/8\/1604\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,24]],"date-time":"2026-04-24T04:11:51Z","timestamp":1777003911000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1996-1944\/19\/8\/1604"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,16]]},"references-count":50,"journal-issue":{"issue":"8","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4]]}},"alternative-id":["ma19081604"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ma19081604","relation":{},"ISSN":["1996-1944"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1996-1944","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,16]]}}}