Abstract
Magnetic field-assisted finishing process is a hybrid nanofinishing process that combines the advantages of both magnetorheological finishing process and chemical mechanical polishing process. This process uses magnetorheological fluid combined with chemicals as the polishing medium. The developed novel tool is made of mu-metal which encloses a permanent magnet. The femoral component of the prosthetic knee joint made of titanium alloy is used as the workpiece material in the present study. The surface finish requirement of the femoral knee joint is at the nanometer level. Finishing of the femoral component of the knee joint is a difficult task due to its complex surface conditions. The best final surface roughness of 0.02 μm is obtained after finishing of the knee joint. Also, the femoral knee joint should be hydrophilic in nature. Surface wettability test is conducted using the goniometer to prove the hydrophilicity nature of the finished surface. The formation of the oxide layer is observed on the finished surface. The oxide layer increases the biocompatibility of the implant. The present study proves the capability of the novel tool to provide the required surface properties of the femoral knee implant. Hence, the magnetic field-assisted finishing process can be used to finish the complex freeform surface of the femoral knee implant.
