Fabrication of microscaffolds from Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy by SLM

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present the results of theoretical considerations and experimental tests concerning microscaffold fabrication by selective laser melting (SLM). Also described are manufacturing technologies for regular lattice microstructure with the smallest possible pore sizes and fullest possible order of geometric accuracy retained. Process parameters of SLM greatly affect the properties of the fabricated structures not only in regards to their material characteristics but also in their geometric representation accuracy. Design/methodology/approach - The paper discusses technological relationships between different laser micrometallurgy strategies and the accuracy of the manufactured microstructures. Findings - With technological possibilities evaluated, regular porous structure was created composed of cubic pores with cylindrical struts as their boundaries. Strut diameters are up to 180 mu m, and the distance between neighboring strut axes was reduced to 600 mu m, which gives a hollow channels clearance of approximately 420 mu m. Originality/value - Presented results show possibilities of manufacturing small high-strength lattice microstructures by SLM using Ti-6Al-7Nb titanium alloy powders for tissue engineering.