Anisotropic porous titanium with superior mechanical compatibility in the range of physiological strain rate for trabecular bone implant applications

Porous titanium for biomedical application was fabricated by diffusion bonding of titanium meshes. Compressive mechanical compatibility and strain rate sensitivity were studied in the range of physiological strain rate under quasi-static and dynamic conditions. The results show that porous titanium presents anisotropic pore structure suited for bone ingrowth. Quasi-static compressive Youngs modulus and yield stress are in the range of 0.4-6.5 GPa and 5-105 MPa, respectively, for porous titanium with 30-70% relative density. Based on the Gibson-Ashby model, quasi-static compressive properties can be quantitatively designed and tailored with respect to relative density to match those of human trabecular bone. Porous titanium with 30-40% relative density compressed in the out-of-plane direction shows excellent mechanical compatibility in strain rate sensitivity, and has huge potential for application in human trabecular bone implants.