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Selective Laser Melting and Spark Plasma Sintering: A Perspective on Functional Biomaterials.
Ramin Rahmani1,2, Sérgio Ivan Lopes1,3, Konda Gokuldoss Prashanth4,5
1CiTin-Centro de Interface Tecnológico Industrial, 4970-786 Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal.
Journal of Functional Biomaterials
|October 27, 2023
Summary
Researchers combined selective laser melting (SLM) and spark plasma sintering (SPS) to create advanced metal-ceramic composites for tissue engineering. These materials offer tunable properties for biomedical applications, including load-bearing and virucidal uses.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Biomaterials
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Lightweight, high-strength, and biocompatible composites are essential for tissue engineering.
- Porous metallic structures (lattices, scaffolds, TPMSs) fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) serve as matrices for ceramics.
- Common alloys include Ti6Al4V and 316L; ceramics include TiO2, ZrO2, Al2O3, HA, W, and TCP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of metal-ceramic composites produced using combined SLM and spark plasma sintering (SPS) techniques.
- To highlight the potential of these composites in various biomedical applications.
- To discuss the advantages and challenges of the SLM-SPS approach.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of porous metallic structures using selective laser melting (SLM).
- Infiltration of these structures with ceramics using spark plasma sintering (SPS).
- Analysis of composite properties and potential applications.
Main Results:
- The combined SLM-SPS approach enables rapid design, prototyping, densification, and consolidation of metal-ceramic composites.
- Mg-W-HA composites show promise for load-bearing biomedical applications.
- Cu-TiO2-Ag composites exhibit potential for virucidal activities.
- Functionally graded lattice (FGL) structures offer adjustable control over porosity, roughness, strength, and material composition.
Conclusions:
- The SLM-SPS technique offers a flexible and advantageous method for producing tailored metal-ceramic composites for tissue engineering.
- The ability to create functionally graded structures enhances the tunability and performance of these biomaterials.
- Further development is needed to address challenges in large-scale production and molding design.
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