Biomedical Titanium Alloys: From Traditional Processing to Additive Manufacturing

Madalina Simona Baltatu¹, Petrica Vizureanu^1,2

¹ “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, 41 “D. Mangeron” Street, 700050, Iasi, Romania, e-mail: madalina-simona.baltatu@academic.tuiasi.ro

² Academy of Romanian Scientists, 54 Splaiul Independentei St., Sect. 5, 050094 Bucharest, Romania

Keywords: Beta-type titanium alloys, Ti-Mo-Zr-Ta system, biomedical applications, additive manufacturing, Selective Laser Melting (SLM), arc melting, microstructure

Abstract: Titanium alloys are increasingly explored for biomedical applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and favorable mechanical properties. In this work, titanium-based alloys were processed by two different routes: the conventional method, through melting in an electric arc furnace, and additive manufacturing, using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology. The purpose of the study was to highlight the influence of the processing method on the alloys’ microstructure and hardness.

Alloys obtained by conventional melting exhibited relatively coarse grains and a homogeneous structure, typical of slow solidification. In contrast, the SLM-processed alloys showed a much finer microstructure, with features characteristic of rapid solidification, such as cellular growth and oriented textures. Microstructural investigations were performed using optical and electron microscopy, while the phase composition was identified by X-ray diffraction. Vickers hardness tests indicated higher values for alloys obtained by SLM, mainly due to fine grain size and residual internal stresses. The results underline the potential of both processing routes, each offering distinct advantages depending on the specific requirements of biomedical applications.

References 

[1] C. Jiménez-Marcos, J.C. Mirza-Rosca, M.S. Baltatu, P. Vizureanu, Materials Chemistry and Physics, 334 (2025) 130511.

[2] M.S. Bălţatu, P. Vizureanu, V. Geantă, C. Nejneru, C.A. Țugui, S.C. Focşăneanu, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 209 (2017) 012019.

[3] Pushp, P., Mabrukar, D., Arati, C. Classification and applications of titanium and its alloys. Materials Today: Proceedings (2022) 54.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a grant of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CNCS/CCCDI - UEFISCDI, project number ERANET-ERAMIN-3-Cool&SmartTit-1, contract no 8/2024 within PNCDI IV and also supported by Bio-Simtit Grant of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CCCDI – UEFISCDI, project number PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-0080, within PNCDI IV.