Characterization and modeling of additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V alloy with modified surfaces for medical applications

Hüray Ilayda Kök ^1* Tonya Andreeva ² Sebastian Stammkötter ³ Cindy Reinholdt ⁴ Osman Akbas ⁵ Anne Maren Jahn ⁶ Florian Gamon ⁷ Sandra Fuest ⁸ Mirko Teschke ³ Mirijam Schäfer ⁴ Müller Michael ⁶ Alexander Koch ³ Ole Jung ⁴ Mike Barbeck ⁴ Andreas Greuling ⁵ Ralf Smeets ⁸ Jörg Hermsdrof ⁶ Rumen Krastev ² Philipp Junker ¹ Meike Stiesch ⁵ Prof. Dr. Frank Walther ³

• ¹ Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
• ² Reutlingen University, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
• ³ Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• ⁴ Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
• ⁵ Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany
• ⁶ Laser Center Hannover, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany
• ⁷ University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
• ⁸ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

In the field of biomedical implants, additively manufactured titanium alloys, particularly Ti-6Al-4V, hold significant potential due to their biocompatibility and mechanical properties. This study focuses on the characterization and modeling of additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V alloy for dental and maxillofacial implants, emphasizing fatigue behavior, surface modification, and their combined effects on cyto-and osseocompatibility. Experimental methods, including tensile, compression, and fatigue testing, were applied alongside in-silico simulations to assess the long-term mechanical performance of the material. Surface properties were further modified through sandblasting and coating techniques to enhance cell adhesion and proliferation. By using in-vitro methods, the cytocompatibility of the coatings and materials was examined followed by in-vivo tests to determine osseocompatibility. Results demonstrated that appropriate surface roughness and modifications are essential in optimizing osseointegration, while the layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process influenced the fatigue life and stability. These findings contribute to the development of patient-specific implants, optimizing both mechanical integrity and biological integration for enhanced clinical outcomes. This work summarizes the investigations on additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V alloy of the research unit 5250 "Mechanism-based characterization and modeling of permanent and bioresorbable implants with tailored functionality based on innovative in vivo, in vitro and in silico methods" funded by the Germany Research Foundation (DFG).