EVALUATION OF THE COMPRESSIVE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CELLULAR DMLS STRUCTURES FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The type of material used in biomedical applications depends on specific implant applications; different types of implant need different mechanical properties. Since the architectures of bone tissues in the human body are not completely dense and solid, it is desirable to produce biomimic structures as a replacement for damaged bone tissues. Learning from nature, it can be understood that cellular structures would be more preferable for biomedical implants than dense solid structures. Verification of mechanical properties of DMLS PA 2200 cellular structures should be conducted since scaffolds from this material have been proven for biomedical applications. Ti6Al4V alloy is well known to have a superior track record as leading material for bone replacement since it is a light-weight and biocompatible material, but the density of human cortical bone is less than half that of solid Ti6Al4V implants. The mismatch of the elastic modulus between such implants and bone tissue is one of the major causes of stress shielding, bone resorption and implant loosening. Finite element analysis showed big differences in strains of jaw bone and an implanted solid Ti6Al4V part. The elastic modulus of lattice structures was used to simulate a complex mandible to obtain foreknowledge of manufacturing advanced light-weight implants with suitable biomechanical properties. Compressive properties of proposed cellular structures were determined to demonstrate the viability of attaining different effective elastic moduli for Ti6Al4V implants.