Indirect selective laser sintering of apatite—wollostonite glass—ceramic

Abstract

This paper develops an indirect selective laser sintering (SLS) processing route for apatite—wollastonite (A—W) glass—ceramic, and shows that the processing route, which can create porous three-dimensional products suitable for bone implants or scaffolds, does not affect the excellent mechanical and biological properties of the glass—ceramic. ‘Green parts’ with fine integrity and well-defined shape have been produced from glass particles of single-size range or mixed-size ranges with acrylic binder in various ratios by weight. A subsequent heat treatment process has been developed to optimize the crystallization process, and an infiltration process has been explored to enhance mechanical strength. Three-point bending test results show flexural strengths of up to 102 MPa, dependent on porosity, and simulated body fluid (SBF) tests show that the laser sintered porous A—W has comparable biological properties to that of conventionally produced A—W.