Additively manufactured 316L steel reinforced by multi-layer Ti3C2T for enhanced mechanical and bio-tribological performance

Implant materials often suffer from wear, surface degradation, and poor biocompatibility, leading to reduced durability and compromised patient outcomes. Addressing these challenges requires the development of advanced biomaterials with enhanced mechanical strength and bio-tribological performance. In this context, we explore the incorporation of multi-layer Ti 3 C 2 T x into a 316L metal matrix to enhance mechanical and bio-tribological properties for biomedical applications. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) with 1, 2, and 3 wt.-% Ti 3 C 2 T x were fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Mechanical properties, including surface roughness and hardness, and the bio-tribological behavior were evaluated under dry and synovial body fluid (SBF)-lubricated conditions at 37 °C. Lower Ti 3 C 2 T x concentrations yielded smoother surfaces, while higher concentrations increased roughness due to particle agglomeration and clustering. However, the resulting hardness improved especially for an addition of 3 wt.-% Ti 3 C 2 T x . The 1 wt.-% Ti 3 C 2 T x MMCs reduced wear by 31 and 19 % under dry and SBF conditions, respectively, while balls wear (counter-bodies) were reduced by 51 and 13 %, respectively. These results highlight the potential of multi-layer Ti 3 C 2 T x to improve the durability and performance of medical devices, demonstrating their promise as advanced biomaterials. • Ti 3 C 2 T x -reinforced 316L steel composites fabricated by laser powder bed fusion • Hardness increased with higher MXene concentration in the composites. • Biotribological behavior was enhanced, but depended on the MXene concentration. • Up to 31 % (dry) and 19 % (SBF-lubricated) composite wear reduction for 1 wt% • Up to 51 % (dry) and 13 % (SBF) steel counter-body wear reduction for 1 wt%