Additive manufacturing of complex-shaped and porous silicon nitride-based components for bionic bones

Abstract

Si3N4 is a novel implant material with promising applications in the replacement of human hard tissues. The biomimetic human bone structure used in this study was created using digital light-processing technology. The effect of pore-forming agent content on the curing and mechanical properties of Si3N4 ceramics was studied. The obtained results indicated that with an increase in the pore-forming agent content, the cure depth of the ceramic suspension first increased and then decreased, while the excess cure width decreased. Furthermore, as the pore-forming agent content increased, the porosity of the sample increased, whereas the compressive strength and Young's modulus decreased. The maximum porosity of the sample at the optimal mass ratio (pore-forming agent: Si3N4 = 5:10) is 58.48 ± 0.49%, and the compressive strength and Young's modulus are 79.01 ± 6.78 MPa and 18.18 ± 0.26 GPa, respectively.