Selective laser melting of Ti6Al7Nb with hydroxyapatite addition
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to obtain by means of selective laser melting and then characterize biocomposites of medical-grade Ti6Al7Nb with hydroxyapatite (2 and 5 vol.%) and without hydroxyapatite, as reference.
Design/methodology/approach
Rectangular samples were manufactured with the same scanning strategy; the laser power was between 50 W and 200 W. Processed samples were analysed by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and microhardness.
Findings
The results showed that despite the very short processing times, hydroxyapatite decomposed and interacted with the base Ti6Al7Nb material. The decomposition degree was found to depend on the applied laser power. From the porosity and bulk microstructure point of view, the most appropriate materials for the purposed medical applications were Ti6Al7Nb with hydroxyapatite processed with a laser power of 50 W.
Originality/value
The originality of the present work consists in the study of the behaviour and interaction of hydroxyapatite additive with the Ti6Al7Nb base powder under selective laser melting conditions, as depending on the applied laser power.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the project “Progress and development through post-doctoral research and innovation in engineering and applied sciences-PRIDE-Contract no. POSDRU/89/1.5/S/57083”, project co-funded from the European Social Fund through Sectorial Operational Program Human Resources 2007-2013.
Citation
Marcu, T., Menapace, C., Girardini, L., Leordean, D. and Popa, C. (2014), "Selective laser melting of Ti6Al7Nb with hydroxyapatite addition", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 301-310. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-09-2012-0083
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited