3. Electrical Discharge Machining for Surface Engineering of Biomedical Alloys

The fabrication of bio-implants using metallic biomaterials presents significant challenges for contemporary manufacturing, particularly when it comes to ensuring long-term clinical functionality. One key difficulty arises from the high hardness and superior wear resistance of standard biomedical alloys, which complicates their machining through conventional techniques. These properties make it challenging to achieve the intricate shapes and fine tolerances that are often required for successful implant integration (Philip et al. in J Manuf Process 64:1105–1142, 2021 [1]; Mahajan et al. in EDM surface treatment: an enhanced biocompatible interface, pp. 33–40, 2019 [2]). Moreover, surface processing is critical, as it greatly influences how well an implant interacts with human tissues and its compatibility within the biological environment. Research conducted by Jenko et al. (Appl Surf Sci 427:584–593, 2018 [3]) has demonstrated that machining-induced alterations can significantly impact surface morphology and chemistry, which in turn can enhance cellular responses and promote better healing. For instance, the development of oxide and phosphide layers on the metal surface has been associated with improved bioactivity and increased resistance to intergranular corrosion, both of which are essential for the longevity and safety of implants in the human body. Furthermore, various factors such as tribological behavior, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength of implants are intrinsically linked to the particular methods utilized for surface treatment.