Effect of laser processing parameters on mechanical properties of porous tantalum fabricated by laser multi-layer micro-cladding

Abstract

Purpose Additive manufacturing (AM), a method used in the nuclear, space and racing industries, allows the creation of customized titanium alloy scaffolds with highly defined external shape and internal structure using rapid prototyping as supporting external structures within which bone tissue can grow. AM allows porous tantalum parts with mechanical properties close to that of bone tissue to be obtained. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, porous tantalum structures with different scan distance were fabricated by AM using laser multi-layer micro-cladding. Findings Porous tantalum samples were tested for resistance to compressive force and used scanning electron microscope to reveal the morphology of before and after compressive tests. Their structure and mechanical properties of these porous Ta structures with porosity in the range of 35.48 to 50 per cent were investigated. The porous tantalum structures have comparable compressive strength 56 ∼ 480 MPa, and elastic modulus 2.8 ∼ 9.0GPa, which is very close to those of human spongy bone and compact bone. Research limitations/implications This paper does not demonstrate the implant results. Practical implications It can be used as implant material for the repair bone. Social implications It can be used for fabrication of other porous materials. Originality/value This paper system researched the scan distance on how to influence the mechanical properties of fabricated porous tantalum structures.