Post-Processing and Surface Characterization of Additively Manufactured Stainless Steel 316L Lattice: Implications for BioMedical Use

Materials

Lina Yan¹  Akshay Chaudhari¹  GavinKane O’Neill²  AlexQuok An Teo² 

[1] Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, 07-08 Block EA, Singapore 117575, Singapore;Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National University Hospital Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore;

关键词: additive manufacturing;    biomedical implants;    post-processing;    surface residue;    stainless steel 316L;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ma14061376

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Additive manufacturing of stainless steel is becoming increasingly accessible, allowing for the customisation of structure and surface characteristics; there is little guidance for the post-processing of these metals. We carried out this study to ascertain the effects of various combinations of post-processing methods on the surface of an additively manufactured stainless steel 316L lattice. We also characterized the nature of residual surface particles found after these processes via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Finally, we measured the surface roughness of the post-processing lattices via digital microscopy. The native lattices had a predictably high surface roughness from partially molten particles. Sandblasting effectively removed this but damaged the surface, introducing a peel-off layer, as well as leaving surface residue from the glass beads used. The addition of either abrasive polishing or electropolishing removed the peel-off layer but introduced other surface deficiencies making it more susceptible to corrosion. Finally, when electropolishing was performed after the above processes, there was a significant reduction in residual surface particles. The constitution of the particulate debris as well as the lattice surface roughness following each post-processing method varied, with potential implications for clinical use. The work provides a good base for future development of post-processing methods for additively manufactured stainless steel.

【 授权许可】

Unknown