Biomorphic porous Ti6Al4V gyroid scaffolds for bone implant applications fabricated by selective laser melting

Gyroid structures exhibiting interconnected porosity and mean curvature of zero have the closest resemblance to native bone. Interconnected Ti6Al4V pores of different sizes such as 250, 300, 350 and 400 mu m were designed and fabricated using selective laser melting (SLM). The fabricated samples were analysed for microstructure using Scaning electron microscopy and phases using X-ray Diffraction. The prevailing trend of decrease in compressive strength with increase in pore size was observed during compression tests; among all the pore sizes, 250 mu m pore size showed an excellent compressive strength of 205 MPa. The biocompatibility of such porous structures for bone tissue engineering was evaluated using Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) through Alamar Blue(R) assay and visualization of cytoplasm and nucleus using fluorescence microscopy. Gyroid scaffold with pore size 350 and 400 mu m displayed the highest biocompatibility; however, 250 mu m pore size demonstrated an optimum combination of overall mechanical and biological properties viable for practical applications.

Automated summary

In this study, Gyroid structures with interconnected porosity were fabricated using selective laser melting, with Ti6Al4V pores of different sizes. The compression tests showed a decrease in compressive strength with increasing pore size, with the 250 μm size demonstrating excellent strength. Biocompatibility evaluation using stem cells indicated that pore sizes of 350 and 400 μm displayed high compatibility, while the 250 μm size showed an optimal combination of mechanical and biological properties for practical applications.