Development of a manufacturing process for open pore titanium foams applicable to hip and knee prosthesis

Abstract

Titanium is considered an appropriate material for medical applications due to its high biocompatibility. As a result of its mechanical properties, greater than those corresponding to trabecular bone, the need of using alternatives arises with the aim of getting rid of the Stress Shielding effect. The present document specifies the parameters corresponding to the Space Holder technique, providing the production of open pore titanium foams, which benefits the adhesion of the prosthesis to the bone and resembles its properties. The selected alloy (Ti-6Al-7Nb) reduces the cytotoxicity produced by other alloys. With regards to the Space Holder, NH₄HCO₃ will be used, due to its fusion temperature which facilitates the creation of the pores that will form the titanium foam.