Bio-functional and anti-corrosive 3D printing 316L stainless steel fabricated by selective laser melting

316L Stainless Steel Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting and Its Biocompatibility with or without Hydroxyapatite Coating

“…In this study, evaluation of the as-printed samples' RGR values generally showed that they had better biocompatibility than the as-cast samples. This result is consistent with the data in literature [21]. One reason for there being such a difference between the as-printed and as-cast samples is likely because of the higher level of surface roughness for the as-printed samples.…”

“…A slightly higher laser energy density was adopted here, varying from 166.7 J/mm 3 to 216.7 J/mm 3 , as higher laser energy density normally leads to better as-printed density. This finding is also consistent with other literature [21]. Below 191.7 J/mm 3 , the laser energy density is too low to melt the powders completely and to realize good density.…”

“…The ductile dimples of the fracture surface microstructure are presented in Figure 10d. The mechanical properties of the as-printed 316L in this study (hardness at 200-250 Hv, tensile strength at 600-700 MPa, and elongation at ~40-60%) are within the same level as the data presented in the literature [10,21]. Ours are slightly lower in hardness, which might be due to a higher laser energy density applied and a resultant enlarged grain size.…”

“…SLM, which is a powder-bed-based additive manufacturing technology, can be used to selectively melt metal powders layer by layer through a highly focused and computer-controlled laser beam [17,18]. It has been used to successfully prepare many kinds of metallic biomaterials, such as stainless steel, alloys of titanium, magnesium, and medical noble metals, and compared with some of the more traditional approaches, it provides superior mechanical properties and a relatively simpler manufacturing process [19,20].In retrospect, some studies around SLM-processed 316L stainless steel with different laser parameters and lattice structure designs have been undertaken [21][22][23]. In order to testify its feasibility as an implant, simple cytotoxicity and biocompatibility tests were conducted while comparing different manufacturing and post-processing methods [24][25][26][27][28].…”

“…In retrospect, some studies around SLM-processed 316L stainless steel with different laser parameters and lattice structure designs have been undertaken [21][22][23]. In order to testify its feasibility as an implant, simple cytotoxicity and biocompatibility tests were conducted while comparing different manufacturing and post-processing methods [24][25][26][27][28].…”