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Development of Tailored Porous Ti6Al4V Materials by Extrusion 3D Printing
Luis Olmos1, Ana Silvia González-Pedraza2, Héctor Javier Vergara-Hernández2
1Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, INICIT, Fco. J. Mujica S/N, Morelia 58060, Michoacán, Mexico.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 25, 2025
Summary
3D printing extrusion of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) enables fabricating porous bone implants with two porosity scales. Smaller channel sizes enhance densification, while larger channels reduce mechanical strength, allowing tailored implant properties.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Additive Manufacturing
- Materials Science
Background:
- Metallic bone implants are crucial for treating bone defects caused by disease or trauma.
- 3D printing offers advanced capabilities for creating customized implants with specific microstructures.
- Titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V) are widely used in orthopedic implants due to their biocompatibility and mechanical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fabrication of porous Ti6Al4V structures using extrusion 3D printing.
- To analyze the effect of channel size on the microstructure, densification, and mechanical properties of the printed implants.
- To evaluate the potential of designing bone implants with dual-scale porosity.
Main Methods:
- Extrusion 3D printing of Ti6Al4V pellets to create cylindrical samples with hexagonal channels of varying sizes.
- Dilatometry tests to assess densification kinetics during sintering.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) for microstructural analysis.
- Compression testing to determine mechanical properties (Young's modulus, yield strength).
Main Results:
- The hexagonal channel shape fidelity improved with increasing channel size.
- Sintering behavior was similar across channel sizes, but smaller channels yielded greater densification.
- Interconnected microporosity at the particle level was observed, facilitating fluid transport.
- Young's modulus and yield strength decreased significantly as channel size increased.
Conclusions:
- Extrusion 3D printing allows for the design of Ti6Al4V implants with two distinct porosity scales.
- Controlling channel size is critical for balancing implant porosity, fluid transport, and mechanical integrity.
- This technique holds promise for developing patient-specific bone replacements with optimized performance.
