Investigation of bone drilling and abrasion performance of cutting tools made of Ti6Al4V material under different coatings

Ti6Al4V materials are preferred in the orthopedic sector. In this study, the relationship between the lifespan, performance, and durability characteristics of the used cutting tools and the coated tools was investigated. In orthopedic, medical, and dental fields, factors such as heat generation, corrosion, and wear arise during the processing of bone tissue with cutting tools. These results can lead to irreversible damage resulting in tissue necrosis. To increase the lifespan of cutting tools by reducing these factors, various methods can be applied. One of these methods involves the infusion of coolant into the material surface or the contact area between the cutting tool and the material. This helps prevent tool wear caused by friction and temperature, as well as damage to the bone tissue. Another approach is to reduce the amount of wear on cutting tools by applying various coating techniques, thereby improving processing performance. In this study, pure titanium dental drill bits were used in bone tests to evaluate drilling performance. Additionally, Ti6Al4V tools were coated using different coating methods (DLC, TiN), and drilling tests were conducted on bone tissue to compare wear and drilling performance. Detailed evaluations were made by obtaining SEM images of wear types and quantities. Furthermore, due to the highly specific nature of tools produced for implant purposes in the industry, the focus has been on workability rather than tool lifespan. As a result, coating techniques that could increase tool lifespan and reduce costs have been overlooked. The aim of this study is to provide industry support through informative experimental research.