3D Printing Implants - Metal Biomaterials - Titanium Alloys
Advantages: Biocompatibility, high specific strength, high corrosion resistance, lightweight, fewer fusion defects during 3D printing
Application: Metal implants such as joints, skulls, dental implants
Challenges of 3D printing titanium implants
The use of orthopedic biomaterials has increased dramatically over the past few years as the population ages and patients desire to maintain the same level of activity and quality of life. Driven by the huge demand for clinical orthopedic biomaterials, bone tissue engineering has developed rapidly, and a series of orthopedic biomaterials have been researched and designed. Iron-based and magnesium-based biomaterials have been widely used with the help of 3D technology. Compared with iron-based and magnesium-based biomaterials, titanium-based biomaterials have high strength, low specific modulus, and better biocompatibility. Biomaterials exhibit unique and competitive advantages.
3D printing titanium-based biomaterials can be customized according to the different needs of individuals. It can not only manufacture complex structures, but also has unparalleled advantages in terms of cost, manufacturing cycle, and personalized customization. It can vigorously develop this technology in orthopedics, dentistry, etc., and cardiovascular applications. However, this technology still faces many challenges, such as how to balance the relationship between porous bone growth and mechanical properties, the choice of additive manufacturing technology, and parameter optimization.
Better cooling
(1) Different 3D printing technologies have differences in thermal scanning speed, power supply, deposition rate, etc. Compared with traditional processes, the 3D printing preparation process has the typical characteristics of rapid heating and cooling, which requires precise control of process parameters to obtain high-quality and reliable parts;
(2) Classify and describe the topology of bone tissue, pointing out that one way to reduce stiffness is to rationally optimize the topology of the porous bone substitute, thereby reducing the difference in stiffness between the bone substitute and the host bone, thereby alleviating stress shielding question.
(3) The influence of the characteristics of rapid heating and cooling on the microstructure evolution of titanium alloys is analyzed, and the mechanical properties can be improved by adjusting the two-phase composition and microstructure;
(4) Stressed the biocompatibility and osseointegration of porous titanium alloys after implantation; 3D printed metals are better developed by developing powerful digital tools, such as machine models and machine learning combined with metallurgical knowledge bases.
It is pointed out that the development of an effective identification and certification method should require a good grasp of the process parameters and related factors that affect fatigue performance. For complex 3D printing geometries such as porous and lattice structures, better testing, scanning methods, and non-destructive evaluation techniques need to be developed.
In addition, the continuous application of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms provides scientific guidance for the selection of processing parameters, which can improve the quality of parts and reduce the cost of trial and error. And machine learning can also gradually update the process-microstructure-property relationship based on experience. It is emphasized that the 3D printing database should be vigorously developed to lay the foundation for optimizing experimental design and accelerating personalized customization.