Additively Manufactured TiTa Alloys for Improved Osseointegration of Bone Implants

This thesis explores new and improved metals for bone implants. The main metal used for bone implants today, Ti-6Al-4V, was originally designed for aircraft. New 3D printing technologies allow us to combine metals that were previously extremely difficult to melt together. Hence, we can now design new alloys which not only better mimic the strength and stiffness of bone but can also encourage bone growth around an implant. This research explores the manufacture of such an alloy system, titanium-tantalum, which has the potential to significantly reduce implant loosening and failure.