Recent advances in Ti-6Al-4V additively manufactured by selective laser melting for biomedical implants: Prospect development

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2022-03, Vol.896, p.163072, Article 163072
• Main Authors: Aufa, A.N., Hassan, Mohamad Zaki, Ismail, Zarini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Additive manufacturing; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Apatite; Biomedical materials; Cell adhesion; Chemical treatment; Corrosion resistance; Laser beam melting; Mechanical properties; Orthopedics; Osseointegration; Rapid prototyping; Selective laser melting; Stress shielding; Stress shielding effect; Surface coating; Surface treatment; Surgical implants; Ti-6Al-4V; Titanium alloys; Titanium base alloys; Transplants & implants
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.163072

•The Ti-6Al-4V is well-known in additive manufacturing technologies for implant applications.•The porous structure of SLM Ti-6Al-4V can reduce the compressive properties and is comparable to skeletal bones.•Surface treatment and modification enhance the cell osseointegration and corrosion resistance of the SLM Ti6Al4V [Display omitted] Recently, additive manufacturing (AM), being part of IR4.0, received great attention for the fabrication of customized implants with outstanding quality, which are used in hard tissue replacement. For an orthopedic application, the titanium alloy implants, especially those that use Ti-6Al-4V manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM), should facilitate maximum osteointegration between the implant and corresponding bone. However, the superior mechanical characteristics, poor surface integration, antibacterial performance, and readiness of SLM Ti-6Al-4V for use in advanced implants are still not comparable to those of anatomical bone. This review focused on the current issue of stress-shielding limitations in SLM Ti-6Al-4V owing to failures in load-bearing applications. The surface treatment and modification strategy that might improve the osseointegration of the implant were discussed. The corrosion resistance of SLM Ti-6Al-4V which could significantly affect antibacterial capability, improve cell adherence and apatite formation on the bone remodeling surface was also addressed. Finally, the current challenges, prospects and applications for SLM Ti-6Al-4V development were presented.