Influence of Laser Texturing on the Surface Properties of Magnesium Alloy

Magnesium alloys are attractive for biomedical and lightweight structural applications due to their biodegradability and high specific strength; however, their poor surface properties limit broader use. This study investigates laser-based surface texturing as a strategy to enhance the surface integrity and wettability of WE43 magnesium alloy sheets. A nanosecond pulsed laser (1064 nm) was employed with varying power levels (5–25 W), pitch distances (50–150 µm), and numbers of passes (N = 1–3). Surface characterization included optical profilometry, topography analysis, and roughness parameters (Ra, Rz, Rp, Rv), while wettability was evaluated using static contact angle measurements. The results demonstrate that laser surface texturing significantly influences surface roughness and wettability. Groove width and depth increased with laser power, whereas pitch distance and the number of passes strongly affected roughness. Single-pass processing with wider pitch distances produced the lowest Ra values, while multiple passes induced remelting, resulting in increased Ra and Rz. Contact angle measurements revealed that the textured surfaces exhibited improved hydrophilicity compared with the as-received condition. These findings highlight the potential of laser surface texturing to tailor surface properties of magnesium alloys, providing a promising pathway for their use in future biomedical and structural engineering applications.