The Physical Properties of a Novel Porous Titanium In-growth Material

A novel porous titanium in-growth structure - Tritanium TM has been developed and characterized in terms of morphological, mechanical and chemical properties. The structure is fabricated through a sacrificial pore former method. The final structure consists of a highly porous network of fully interconnected pores separated by cell walls. The porosity and pore characteristics are tailored and controlled by a sacrificial the pore former. The structure can be applied in the form of a coating or as a stand-alone component. The mechanical properties have been characterized in terms of static tensile and shear bond strength, dynamic tensile and shear strength, and abrasion resistance. The morphological properties have been characterized in terms of major and interconnecting pore size, volume percent voids (or porosity), and cell wall thickness. The chemistry was evaluated in terms standard trace elements commonly found in commercially pure titanium. The average size is found to be suitable for use in many bone in-growth applications [1] and the morphological properties show this is a unique porous implantable material characterized by its desirable bone in-growth properties [2]. The chemical properties, which are found to meet the ASTM F-67 Grade 3 Commercially Pure Titanium in terms of tramp gaseous elements, should promote bone apposition. The mechanical properties should enable the design of safe and efficacious implants that withstand normal post operative activities.

[1] Zardiackis, L, et al., J.Biomed. Mater. Res. 58: 180-187, 2001

[2] Ngo, et al., ORS 2009, 477