Building Orientation and Post Processing of Ti6Al4V Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion Process

Abstract

Laser powder bed fusion, particularly the selective laser melting (SLM), is an additive manufacturing (AM) technology used to produce near-net-shaped engineering components for biomedical applications, especially in orthopaedics. Ti6Al4V is commonly used for producing orthopaedic implants using SLM because it has excellent mechanical qualities, a high level of biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance. However, the main problems associated with this process are the result of its surface properties: it has to be able to promote cell attachment but, at the same time, avoid bacteria colonization. Surface modification is used as a post-processing technique to provide items the unique qualities that can improve their functionality and performance in particular working conditions. The goal of this work was to produce and analyse Ti6Al4V samples fabricated by SLM with different building directions in relation to the building plate (0° and 45°) and post-processed by anodization and passivation. The results demonstrate how the production and post processes had an impact on osteoblast attachment, mineralization, and osseointegration over an extended period of time. Though the anodization treatment result was cytotoxic, the biocompatibility of as-built specimens and specimens after passivation treatment was confirmed. In addition, it was discovered that effective post-processing increases the mineralization of these types of 3D-printed surfaces.

The effect of nodal connectivity and strut density within stochastic titanium scaffolds on osteogenesis

“…Strut roughness in the tested scaffolds was mainly above this limit, with the semi-sintered particles acting as surface discontinuities which led cells to cluster and secrete ECM around them. Although, surface polishing of titanium scaffolds (Maleki et al, 2021) has not shown to induce differences in osteoblastic activity in vitro (Wysocki et al, 2019;Rovetta et al, 2023), removal of the protruding semi-sintered particles can induce several advantages for future clinical application. First, it can further increase surface wettability and hydrophilicity (Rovetta et al, 2023), second it can increase the fatigue life of lattices (Van Hooreweder et al, 2017), and third it can minimise the chances of bone resorption that can happen in vivo due to floating metallic debris (Vasconcelos et al, 2016).…”

Impact of Hot Isostatic Pressing Temperature on Tensile Properties of TA15 Titanium Alloy Produced via Laser Powder Bed Fusion

“…TA15 alloy is a high aluminum-equivalent near-α titanium alloy. Its exceptional blend of strength, fracture toughness, welding performance, fatigue limit, and corrosion resistance at both ambient and elevated temperatures has propelled its extensive utilization in the aeronautical and astronautical industries [1][2][3][4]. Notably, titanium alloys fabricated through the L-PBF exhibit unparalleled mechanical properties in comparison to their cast and wrought counterparts [1][2][3][4].…”

“…Its exceptional blend of strength, fracture toughness, welding performance, fatigue limit, and corrosion resistance at both ambient and elevated temperatures has propelled its extensive utilization in the aeronautical and astronautical industries [1][2][3][4]. Notably, titanium alloys fabricated through the L-PBF exhibit unparalleled mechanical properties in comparison to their cast and wrought counterparts [1][2][3][4]. It is primarily attributed to developing exquisite columnar grains and intricate phase structures during rapid solidification under high temperature gradients [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12].…”