Publication

Abstract : Ti-6Al-4V alloy is one of the widely used titanium alloys for biomedical applications, especially in load-critical bio-implants, because of its high strength, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance. However, conventional manufacturing processes pose many challenges for the fabrication and processing of Ti-6Al-4V alloy-based implants. The emerging additive manufacturing technologies, particularly selective laser melting, provide an ideal platform for manufacturing customized and complex-geometry implants with high-dimensional accuracy. This study evaluates the mechanical properties, and bio-corrosion resistance of selective laser melted Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The microstructural analysis showed the presence of a continuous networked structure of the β phase, which paved the way for an ample microhardness of 255 HV. A comprehensive analysis of the fracture mechanism and bio-corrosion mechanism of the selective laser melted Ti-6Al-4V alloy is presented. The fractography depicted a combination of ductile and brittle fracture mechanisms, resulting in a fair ultimate tensile strength value of 813 MPa. Meanwhile, the formation of calcium hydroxyapatite in the course of corrosion during the implantation period helps in bone growth and promotes implant–bone stability. The corrosion rate of the SLM Ti-6Al-4V alloy in simulated body fluid was 9 × 10–4 mm/year. The results provide a new avenue to fabricate selective laser melted Ti-6Al-4V alloy with desired mechanical properties and bio-corrosion resistance.