Fabrication and biocompatibility of a 3D-printed porous Ti-25Ta alloy scaffold

In this study, a porous Ti-25Ta alloy scaffold was fabricated using additive manufacturing(AM) and compared with pure Ti to evaluate its biocompatibility and osteogenic potential. The scaffolds were fabricated using a Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion process, followed by investigations of physical properties, in vitro cytocompatibility, osteogenesis, macrophage polarization, and in vivo bone reconstruction. Pure Ti exhibits the highest wettability, cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, mineralized nodule formation, anti-inflammatory capability, and bone reconstruction. The adoption of Ta in the Ti-25Ta alloy significantly increases its wettability, osteogenesis, and anti-inflammatory without a great increase in density. In summary, the Ti-25Ta alloy has a favorable balance of physical properties and biological performance, making it a promising candidate as a bone implant material. Developing a new type of 3D-printed titanium-tantalum alloy implant with an elastic modulus closer to that of natural bone. The material promotes the growth of bone cells, and its osteogenic efficiency is higher than that of traditional titanium metals. The porous structure design effectively reduces the stress shielding effect and has broad prospects for clinical application.