Fatigue behavior of porous titanium structures obtained by space holder method

Abstract

Titanium currently used in biomedical implant applications has shown some limitations, one of the most important being the mismatch between the mechanical properties of bone and the implant. This problem is solved with porous titanium structures to achieve a stiffness similar to that of the surrounding bone to alleviate stress-shielding effects. Since most Titanium implants have a structural function and an intended lifetime of several decades, their fatigue performance is of vital importance. In this work we will study the fatigue life of porous titanium structures, with a certain degree of porosity, obtained through powder metallurgy and space holder technique. Surface modification of the porous titanium will be performed in order to improve the biointegration. Morphological, physico-chemical and mechanical characterization will be carried out to assess the effect of the surface modification.