Evaluation of Laser-Sintered CR-CO and TI Alloys for Dental Applications

Even if additive layer manufacturing techniques have been introduced in industries since last ’80, the application in medicine is quite recent and tend to remain at research level. In dental implantology the introduction of these technologies in the prostheses production could introduce more precision well time and money savings. Dental prostheses may be built by additive layer manufacturing, specifically by direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). The target of this paper is to investigate the mechanical and microstructural characteristics, comparing samples built along different orientation. Tensile specimens were built in accordance with ASTM E8M both by DMLS (EOSINT-M270 ), using Cr-Co alloy and Ti6Al4V alloy. An experimental plan was designed to evaluate the effect of different built orientation. Density, hardness, tensile performances, rupture surfaces SEM observation, porosity evaluation and microstructure observation were performed on the following group of specimens (4 specimen for each group): were produced (4 for each group) in three orientations with respect to the machine distinctive directions Both alloys have good mechanical performance in terms of tensile strength, elongation and hardness. The specimens revealed a low porosity and of consequence to be quite fully densified. The microstructure observed is very fine and explain the mechanical characteristics of the materials. The statistic analysis doesn’t evidence a unique difference between the different building orientation. DMLS produce parts with excellent mechanical properties independently from building orientation.