Indirect selective laser sintering of apatite-wollostonite glass-ceramic.
This paper develops an indirect selective laser sintering (SLS) processing route for apatite-wollastonite (A-W) glass-ceramic, and shows that the processing route, which can create porous three-dimensional products suitable for bone implants or scaffolds, does not affect the excellent mechanical and biological properties of the glass-ceramic. 'Green parts' with fine integrity and well-defined shape have been produced from glass particles of single-size range or mixed-size ranges with acrylic binder in various ratios by weight. A subsequent heat treatment process has been developed to optimize the crystallization process, and an infiltration process has been explored to enhance mechanical strength. Three-point bending test results show flexural strengths of up to 102 MPa, dependent on porosity, and simulated body fluid (SBF) tests show that the laser sintered porous A-W has comparable biological properties to that of conventionally produced A-W.
Xiao
K
K
School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Dalgarno
K W
KW
Wood
D J
DJ
Goodridge
R D
RD
Ohtsuki
C
C
D001031:Apatites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006361:Heating / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
D001031:Apatites; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D017640:Silicates; C031293:calcium silicate