Osteoblast compatibility of 3D printed Co–Cr–Mo alloys with different building direction

Satoshi Migita,Kosuke Sakashita,Suyalatu Suyalatu

doi:10.1049/bsbt.2018.0043

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) metal printing is an attractive technique for fabricating biomedical devices. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the fabricated 3D metal printed products show anisotropy because the grains grow along the z-axis direction. However, the effects of different printing directions on the cytocompatibility of the products are unknown. In the present study, cobalt–chromium–molybdenum (Co–Cr–Mo) alloy cylinders were fabricated along the z-axis (vertical) and x-axis (horizontal), respectively, and the effect of build direction on the cytocompatibility was evaluated. The build direction of 3D printed Co–Cr–Mo alloy changed grain anisotropy; however, there was no statistical difference in grain size. The wettability, protein adsorption, cell attachment, and cell proliferation on the disks of vertical and horizontal products were similar to those on cast alloy; they were significantly lower than those of commercially pure titanium and tissue culture polystyrene. The build direction of 3D printed Co–Cr–Mo alloy does not affect osteoblast compatibility.

Highlights

Cobalt–chromium–molybdenum (CCM) alloys are widely used for biomedical applications, such as in the dentistry or orthopaedics fields because the alloys exhibit high mechanical strength and great wear resistance [1,2,3,4]
3D printing technologies using selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting have been developed to fabricate medical devices based on CCM alloys [6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of build direction, which affects grain anisotropy, on the osteoblast compatibility of 3D printed CCM alloys

Summary

Introduction

Cobalt–chromium–molybdenum (CCM) alloys are widely used for biomedical applications, such as in the dentistry or orthopaedics fields because the alloys exhibit high mechanical strength and great wear resistance [1,2,3,4]. 3D printing technologies using selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting have been developed to fabricate medical devices based on CCM alloys [6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]. These technologies could overcome the limitations of the CCM fabrication process. Clarifying the cytocompatibility of the different build directions of 3D metal printed products is important. The effect of different printing directions on the cytocompatibility of 3D printed CCM products is unknown

Objectives

Methods

Results