Ti-Al-V/Zn-Al-Cu Composite Materials Prepared by Zinc Melt Infiltration Technology

This work deals with the preparation and characterization of TiAlV/ZnAlCu composite materials. The aim is to create a model for biomaterial with good biocompatibility and acceptable mechanical properties. Infiltrating zinc into the reinforcement made of the titanium alloy could significantly improve the osseointegration of the bioimplant made from this material. The investigated reinforcements of three different geometries made from Ti-6Al-4V prepared by the SLM method (selective laser melting) were infiltrated with molten zinc or the Zn-based alloy. Two infiltration approaches were used-suction of the melt using a vacuum pump and centrifugal casting. By these procedures, different infiltration rates were achieved. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the prepared composite materials were characterized by compression tests. The results were compared with the mechanical properties of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy reinforcement.