In-Situ Laser Directed Energy Deposition of Biomedical Ti-Nb and Ti-Zr-Nb Alloys from Elemental Powders
Felipe Arias-González,
Alejandra Rodríguez-Contreras,
Miquel Punset,
José María Manero,
Óscar Barro,
Mónica Fernández-Arias,
Fernando Lusquiños,
Francisco Javier Gil,
Juan Pou
Affiliations
Felipe Arias-González
School of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), 08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
Alejandra Rodríguez-Contreras
Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering Group, Materials Science and Engineering Department, and Research Center for Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), 08019 Barcelona, Spain
Miquel Punset
Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering Group, Materials Science and Engineering Department, and Research Center for Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), 08019 Barcelona, Spain
José María Manero
Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering Group, Materials Science and Engineering Department, and Research Center for Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), 08019 Barcelona, Spain
Óscar Barro
LaserOn Research Group, CINTECX, School of Engineering, Universidade de Vigo (UVIGO), Lagoas Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Mónica Fernández-Arias
LaserOn Research Group, CINTECX, School of Engineering, Universidade de Vigo (UVIGO), Lagoas Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Fernando Lusquiños
LaserOn Research Group, CINTECX, School of Engineering, Universidade de Vigo (UVIGO), Lagoas Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Francisco Javier Gil
School of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), 08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
Juan Pou
LaserOn Research Group, CINTECX, School of Engineering, Universidade de Vigo (UVIGO), Lagoas Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain
In order to achieve the required properties of titanium implants, more resources and research are needed to turn into reality the dream of developing the perfect implant material. The objective of this study was to evaluate the viability of the Laser Directed Energy Deposition to produce biomedical Ti-Nb and Ti-Zr-Nb alloys from elemental powders (Ti, Nb and Zr). The Laser Directed Energy Deposition is an additive manufacturing process used to build a component by delivering energy and material simultaneously. The material is supplied in the form of particles or wire and a laser beam is employed to melt material that is selectively deposited on a specified surface, where it solidifies. Samples with different compositions are characterized to analyze their morphology, microstructure, constituent phases, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility. Laser-deposited Ti-Nb and Ti-Zr-Nb alloys show no relevant defects, such as pores or cracks. Titanium alloys with lower elastic modulus and a significantly higher hardness than Ti grade 2 were generated, therefore a better wear resistance could be expected from them. Moreover, their corrosion resistance is excellent due to the formation of a stable passive protective oxide film on the surface of the material; in addition, they also possess outstanding cytocompatibility.
