Investigation into the Hybrid Production of a Superelastic Shape Memory Alloy with Additively Manufactured Structures for Medical Implants

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Isabell Hamann - , Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology, Asklepios Orthopaedic Clinic Hohwald (Author)
  • Felix Gebhardt - , Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (Author)
  • Manuel Eisenhut - , Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (Author)
  • Peter Koch - , Chair of Virtual Product Development (Author)
  • Juliane Thielsch - , Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (Author)
  • Christin Rotsch - , Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (Author)
  • Welf-Guntram Drossel - , Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (Author)
  • Christoph-Eckhard Heyde - , Leipzig University (Author)
  • Mario Leimert - , Sächsische Schweiz Kliniken GmbH (Author)

Abstract

The demographic change in and the higher incidence of degenerative bone disease have resulted in an increase in the number of patients with osteoporotic bone tissue causing. amongst other issues, implant loosening. Revision surgery to treat and correct the loosenings should be avoided, because of the additional patient stress and high treatment costs. Shape memory alloys (SMA) can help to increase the anchorage stability of implants due to their superelastic behavior. The present study investigates the potential of hybridizing NiTi SMA sheets with additively manufactured Ti6Al4V anchoring structures using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology to functionalize a pedicle screw. Different scanning strategies are evaluated, aiming for minimized warpage of the NiTi SMA sheet. For biomechanical tests, functional samples were manufactured. A good connection between the additively manufactured Ti6Al4V anchoring structures and NiTi SMA substrate could be observed though crack formation occurring at the transition area between the two materials. These cracks do not propagate during biomechanical testing, nor do they lead to flaking structures. In summary, the hybrid manufacturing of a NiTi SMA substrate with additively manufactured Ti6Al4V structures is suitable for medical implants.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3098
JournalMaterials
Volume14
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 5 Jun 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85108244587

Keywords