Morphology and surface topography of Ti6Al4V lattice structure fabricated by selective laser sintering

Abstract

Construction of metallic implants with a porous structure that mimics the biomechanical properties of bone is one of the challenges of orthopedic regenerative medicine. The selective laser sintering technique (SLS) allows the production of complex geometries based on three-dimensional model, which offers the prospect of preparing porous metal implants, in which stiffness and porosity can be precisely adjusted to the individual needs of the patient. This requires an interdisciplinary approach to design, manufacturing and testing of porous structures manufactured by selective sintering. An important link in this process is the ability to assess the surface topography of the struts of porous structure. The paper presents a qualitative assessment of the surface morphology based on SEM studies and methodology that allows for quantitative assessment of stereometric structure based on micro-tomographic measurements.