Engineered porosity for stiffness-matched, PBF-LB, Nickel-Titanium mandibular graft fixation plates
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Bone graft fixation plates, or osteosynthesis plates, are commonly employed in reconstructive surgery to address segmental bone defects arising from trauma, pathology, or degenerative conditions. Failures in fixation systems are often attributed to stress concentration and stress shielding. We hypothesize that a fixation system promoting compressive force across the healing interface, while minimally disrupting physiological loading, may reduce hardware failure and bone resorption. This study investigates the potential of Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) alloys and engineered porous structures, for providing superior mechanical integration, compared to conventional Ti6Al4V systems. Non-personalized NiTi plates, produced by Powder Bed Fusion using Laser Beam (PBF-LB), with varied pore geometries—orthogonal struts and Schoen’s gyroid structures—were evaluated via four-point bending, following ASTM F382 guidelines. Thermo-chemical analysis confirmed the presence of the martensitic phase at both room and physiological temperatures, indicating shape memory behavior. Mechanical testing revealed no significant difference in stiffness between pore designs, with elastic moduli ranging from 13 to 22 GPa. Orthogonal geometries exhibited increased deflection after 50,000 bending cycles, suggesting progressive strain accumulation, but neither design failed catastrophically after 1 million cycles.These findings support NiTi fixation plates for promoting biomechanically favorable healing through stiffness matching and device engagement.
Source: Materials & Design
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,650
Funders: Cornell Engineering, National Science Foundation, Ohio State University Press, Ohio State University, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Engineering Research Centers, Narodowa Agencja Wymiany Akademickiej, State of Ohio
OpenAlex ID: W4417419457