<i>In vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> evaluations of mechanical properties, biocompatibility and osteogenic ability of sintered porous titanium alloy implant

Abstract

A new sintering technique using Ti₆Al₄V powder suspension was performed to prepare porous Ti₆Al₄V alloys. The porous alloys could be fabricated with different porosities and pore sizes by controlling the quantity and size of spacer particles added to the Ti₆Al₄V powder. The characteristics and biological properties of the porous Ti₆Al₄V with two different porosities were evaluated by mechanical tests, cell tests and implantation. Dense Ti₆Al₄V was used as the control. Compared with the control group, the porous Ti₆Al₄V showed good biocompatibility and osteogenic ability, which makes this type of porous alloy a good prospective material for biomedical application. And compared with 50% porosity, the alloy with 75% porosity had the optimal mechanical properties, and suitable pore size and porosity, which allowed more bone ingrowth.