Mechanical Properties of a Newly Additive Manufactured Implant Material Based on Ti-42Nb
by
Christian Schulze 1,*, Markus Weinmann 2, Christoph Schweigel 3, Olaf Keßler 3 and Rainer Bader 1
Christian Schulze 1,*, Markus Weinmann 2, Christoph Schweigel 3, Olaf Keßler 3 and Rainer Bader 1
1
Biomechanics and Implant Technology Research Laboratory (FORBIOMIT), Department of Orthopaedics, University Medicine Rostock, Doberaner Straße 142, 18057 Rostock, Germany
2
H.C. Starck Tantalum and Niobium GmbH, Im Schleeke 78-91, 38642 Goslar, Germany
3
Chair of Material Science, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Marine Technology, University of Rostock, Albert- Einstein- Str. 2, 18059 Rostock, Germany
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Materials 2018, 11(1), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11010124
Received: 16 November 2017 / Revised: 6 January 2018 / Accepted: 9 January 2018 / Published: 13 January 2018
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspectives on Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials)
The application of Ti-6Al-4V alloy or commercially pure titanium for additive manufacturing enables the fabrication of complex structural implants and patient-specific implant geometries. However, the difference in Young’s modulus of α + β-phase Ti alloys compared to the human bone promotes stress-shielding effects in the implant–bone interphase. The aim of the present study is the mechanical characterization of a new pre-alloyed β-phase Ti-42Nb alloy for application in additive manufacturing. The present investigation focuses on the mechanical properties of SLM-printed Ti-42Nb alloy in tensile and compression tests. In addition, the raw Ti-42Nb powder, the microstructure of the specimens prior to and after compression tests, as well as the fracture occurring in tensile tests are characterized by means of the SEM/EDX analysis. The Ti-42Nb raw powder exhibits a dendrite-like Ti-structure, which is melted layer-by-layer into a microstructure with a very homogeneous distribution of Nb and Ti during the SLM process. Tensile tests display Young’s modulus of 60.51 ± 3.92 GPa and an ultimate tensile strength of 683.17 ± 16.67 MPa, whereas, under a compressive load, a compressive strength of 1330.74 ± 53.45 MPa is observed. The combination of high mechanical strength and low elastic modulus makes Ti-42Nb an interesting material for orthopedic and dental implants. The spherical shape of the pre-alloyed material additionally allows for application in metal 3D printing, enabling the fabrication of patient-specific structural implants.
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Keywords:
implant material; Ti-42Nb alloy; additive manufacturing; mechanical properties; optimization
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MDPI and ACS Style
Schulze, C.; Weinmann, M.; Schweigel, C.; Keßler, O.; Bader, R. Mechanical Properties of a Newly Additive Manufactured Implant Material Based on Ti-42Nb. Materials 2018, 11, 124.
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