Direct metal fabrication of titanium implants with tailored materials and mechanical properties using electron beam melting technology

The design of custom or tailored implant components has been the subject of research and development for decades. However, the economic feasibility of fabricating such components has proven to be a challenge. New direct metal fabrication technologies such as Electron Beam Melting (EBM) have opened up new possibilities. This paper discusses the design and fabrication of titanium implant components having tailored mechanical properties that mimic the stiffness of bone to reduce stress shielding and bone remodeling. Finite Element Analysis was used to design the tailored structures, and results were verified using mechanical testing. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.