'The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology'
Abstract
Selective laser melting (SLM) is increasingly used to fabricate biomedical scaffolds.
However, the intrinsic specifications of the process such as laser spot size, layer thickness,
and particle size limit the production accuracy, altering the geometrical characteristics and
mechanical properties of the scaffolds. This work attempts to assess and improve the
mechanical properties of TiAl6V4 biomedical scaffolds by eliminating/modifying the sharp
and thin nodes (as the main source of stress concentrations and lowering the mechanical
properties). This is carried out through a gradual increase of the beam (strut) thickness around
the nodes where corresponding struts meet. The compression performance of these scaffolds
was assessed and compared to common examples (unaltered struts) and to scaffolds designed
with thicker struts in the centre of the beams (demonstrating the largest contrast). The findings
prove that the thickening of the nodal points improves the strain distribution while maintains
the mechanical properties at an identical solid volume fraction. This can be used to improve
the scaffold design by a gradual strut thickness (in a comparable volume fraction) for an
improved bio-mechanical performance.Mechanical Engineerin