Compression properties and optimization design of SLM Ti6Al4V square pore tissue engineering scaffolds

The tissue engineering technology provides a new way to solve bone defect. Porous scaffolds supply support and adhesion space for cells. Design of pore structure of scaffolds is one of the key points in tissue engineering scaffolds, because the structure affects the performance of scaffolds directly. In this paper, mechanical properties of square porous Ti6Al4V scaffolds are studied. By finite element simulation, it can be found that the support structure in vertical direction assumes main force, so the structure can be optimized through relative density mapping (RDM) method. The modified arch structures can improve bearing effect of structure with the same porosity. The designed structures are obtained by selective laser melting. Results of compressive strength indicate that the compressive strength decreases with the increase of porosity. When the porosity is between 40% and 60%, the error of compressive strength calculated by Gibson-Ashby model is below 8%. Moreover, the optimized structure clears a better bearing effect, and the bearing capacity can be increased by 20%-30% under the same porosity.