Over recent years there has been a push to develop Titanium (Ti) implants with a customised
compressive modulus that would mimic that of load bearing bones (i.e. 10-30 GPa). One of the
approaches suggested to achieve the desired properties is by alloying Ti with biocompatible alloying
elements, such as Niobium (Nb), at bespoke quantities. These alloys can then be used in Selective
Laser Melting (SLM) and other AM processes, provided they have suitable particle size distributions,
chemical homogeneity, and flowability. Commercial powders for AM are typically produced by
atomisation routes, but this process is not financially viable unless large quantities of powdered
material are produced, and therefore not suitable for small scale production such as a one-off patientspecific implant. This study assesses the feasibility of using low-volume, mechanically alloyed
powders, of target Ti-Nb compositions for use in a SLM process.It investigates the particle distribution
and flowability of the produced powders as well as the densification and microstructural properties of
parts fabricated with them, using an array of physical and chemical tools and techniques
