Bending Properties of Additively Manufactured Commercially Pure Titanium (CPTi) Limited Contact Dynamic Compression Plate (LC-DCP) Constructs: Effect of Surface Treatment

Abstract BackgroundAdditive manufacturing of metallic materials, a layer-wise manufacturing method, is currently gaining attention in the biomedical industry because of its capability to fabricate complex geometries including customized parts fitting to patient requirements. However, one of the major challenges hindering the full implementation of additively manufactured parts in safety-critical applications is their poor mechanical performance under cyclic loading. This study investigated both quasi-static bending properties (bending stiffness, bending structural stiffness, and bending strength) and bending fatigue properties of additively manufactured (AM) commercially pure titanium (CPTi) limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) constructs. The results were compared with commercially manufactured (CM) counterparts.MethodsAM CPTi LC-DCP with different surface conditions including as-built, single shot-peened, dual shot-peened, and chemically assisted surface enhancement conditions and CM counterparts were mechanically tested based on ASTM International standard for metallic bone plates (ASTM F382). Bending stiffness, bending structural stiffness, and bending strength was measured by quasi-static bending tests, and bending fatigue properties were obtained by cyclic bending tests. ResultsBending stiffness and bending structural stiffness of AM CPTi LC-DCPs are comparable to CM counterparts; however, the bending strength of AM CPTi LC-DCPs is lower than CM counterparts. The fatigue strength of as-built AM CPTi LC-DCPs is lower compared to the CM counterparts. However, after post surface treatments, single shot-peened, dual shot-peened, and chemically assisted surface enhancement AM CPTi LC-DCPs exhibit statistically comparable fatigue strength to the CM CPTi LC-DCPs.ConclusionAM CPTi LC-DCP could be considered as an alternative to CM LC-DCP in applications that require less bending strength (~5.44 N·m). Post surface treatment should be considered on as-built implants to improve fatigue strength.