Friction and Wear Behavior of Selective Laser Melted Ti6Al4V-Equine Bone Nanocomposites

Abstract

Ti6Al4V is commonly used in implants because of its excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. While Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is typically used for strong biological bonding between Ti6Al4V implants and bone tissue, this study takes a different approach by incorporating Equine Bone (EB), which has a chemical structure similar to human bone tissue, as a substitute for HAp. In this study, to develop implant materials with a low elastic modulus, high strength, and excellent wear resistance, Ti6Al4V used in biomedical applications was combined with natural EB. Subsequently, a Ti6Al4V-0.05EB composite was fabricated using ball milling followed by Selective Laser Melting (SLM). SLM can reproduce even the interior of a 3D structure, so various studies are being conducted to apply it as a biomaterial. However, Ti6Al4V alloys produced by SLM are known to have low ductility due to localized heat gradients, rapid solidification, and cooling rates. This reduced ductility can result in decreased formability of biomaterials, and the high elastic modulus may lead to stress shielding phenomena, potentially reducing the lifespan of the biomaterial. To minimize this, a post-heat treatment was applied to the Ti6Al4V-0.05EB composite material manufactured by SLM. Afterwards, the microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear resistance, which are important in biomaterials, were evaluated.