Exploring the use of selective laser melting to control the surface roughness of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass: surface characterization, ion release and osteoblastic cell response

• Zr-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) have attracted attention as promising candidates for orthopedic applications due to their relatively low Young´s modulus, excellent corrosion and wear resistance, and high strength. The challenge for BMGs as potential biomaterials is their production in large dimensions and complex geometries, a problem that can be addressed by additive manufacturing techniques. The present work explored the use of selective laser melting to develop a Zr-based BMG (Zr59.3Cu28.8Al10.4Nb1.5, trade name AMLOY-ZR01) and investigated the influence of the process parameters on obtaining different levels of surface roughness with the ultimate aim of modulating the material biocompatibility. The materials were characterized in terms of the degree of crystallinity, surface roughness, and morphology, followed by a systematic investigation of the response of the MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cell line to the as-printed samples. The substrates supported cell proliferation and differentiation of the pre-osteoblastic cells, with results comparable to the reference material Ti6A14V.  The surface microroughness and surface morphology (porous or groove-type laser tracks) under study did not have a significant effect on modulating the cell response. Ion release experiments performed under regular physiological and inflammatory test conditions showed a large increase in ion release under inflammatory conditions as compared to regular physiological conditions. The findings in this work showed that the additively manufactured AMLOY-ZR01 is a promising BMG for orthopedic applications, and highlighted the effect that inflammatory conditions could have on the degradation of the alloy.   

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

AMLOY-ZR01

bulk metallic glass

selective laser melting

MC3T3

surface roughness

ion release profile

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)