Perspectives on Additive Manufacturing Enabled Beta-Titanium Alloys for Biomedical Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing
• Orthopedic Implants

Background:

• Biomedical implants face "stress shielding" due to modulus mismatch with natural bone.
• Beta-titanium (β-Ti) alloys offer a lower elastic modulus and good biocompatibility, potentially mitigating stress shielding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review emerging research on powder bed fusion (PBF) of β-Ti alloys for biomedical applications.
• To elucidate the potential and limitations of PBF for β-Ti alloys in this field.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on powder bed fusion (PBF) processing of beta-titanium (β-Ti) alloys.
• Analysis of PBF from process, materials, and design perspectives for biomedical use.

Main Results:

• PBF is a viable technique for processing β-Ti alloys, offering advantages for biomedical applications.
• Key challenges and limitations in PBF of β-Ti alloys are identified.

Conclusions:

• PBF of β-Ti alloys holds significant potential for developing next-generation biomedical implants.
• Further research is needed to optimize processes, materials, and designs for clinical translation.