Selective Laser Sintering/Melting of Nitinol–Hydroxyapatite Composite for Medical Applications.

Abstract

Conditions of layer-by-layer synthesis of 3D parts from nitinol (NiTi intermetallide) and hydroxyapatite additive with Selective Laser Sintering/Melting (SLS/SLM) are studied. The effect of different laser parameters on the structure and phase composition of sintered/melted samples is analyzed with optical metallography, SEM, X-ray diffraction, and EDX analysis. Optimal SLS/SLM parameters for NiTi + HA synthesis are determined for application in tissue engineering and manufacturing of medical devices. No significant destruction of HA ceramics under laser processing is observed. Nickel content on the surface of 3D parts decreases due to additional oxidation of free titanium during SLS/SLM and formation of a protective HA layer. Full-density 3D parts are produced from nitinol by SLM with preheating up to 300 °C.