Abstract
Cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) alloys are very promising materials, in particular, in the biomedical field where their unique properties of biocompatibility and wear resistance can be exploited for surgery applications, prostheses, and many other medical devices. While Additive Manufacturing is a key technology in this field, micro-milling can be used for the creation of micro-scale details on the printed parts, not obtainable with Additive Manufacturing techniques. In particular, there is a lack of scientific research in the field of the fundamental material removal mechanisms involving micro-milling of Co-Cr-Mo alloys. Therefore, this paper presents a micro-milling characterization of Co-Cr-Mo samples produced by Additive Manufacturing with the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technique. In particular, microchannels with different depths were made in order to evaluate the material behavior, including the chip formation mechanism, in micro-milling. In addition, the resulting surface roughness (Ra and Sa) and hardness were analyzed. Finally, the cutting forces were acquired and analyzed in order to ascertain the minimum uncut chip thickness for the material. The results of the characterization studies can be used as a basis for the identification of a machining window for micro-milling of biomedical grade cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) alloys.
Highlights
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a technology based on a layer-by-layer fabrication strategy that allows the build-up of a complex part with remarkable design flexibility [1]
The Co-Cr-Mo metal powder used for the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) building follows the requirements indicated in the ASTM F75 standard
As regards to the layered effect investigations, the experiment analyzed the force behavior to highlight a possible variation caused by the additive layering manufacturing of the Figure highlight a possible variation caused by the additive layering manufacturing of the SLM part
Summary
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a technology based on a layer-by-layer fabrication strategy that allows the build-up of a complex part with remarkable design flexibility [1]. The main characteristic that distinguishes AM systems when compared to conventional manufacturing technologies is the great potential in producing customized parts for several applications [2]. Biomedical parts can be designed for the patient, customizing the component in order to address specific biomedical needs. AM allows the production of devices with a shape suitable for complex anatomical regions of the human body [3]. Biomedical devices, designed according to patient-specific needs, enhance the outcomes of the biomedical implant and guarantee better integration with the human body [4]. The study of the technological processes that can be used for medical devices production is a necessity and a research challenge, in particular, for the identification of an optimized process chain for these applications [5]
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