Three-Dimensional Printing of Si₃N₄ Bioceramics by Robocasting

Abstract

Silicon nitride (Si3N4) implants have been used in spinal fusion surgery since 2008. The ability to fabricate Si3N4 implants with anatomically relevant shapes and controllable architecture can be particularly beneficial in patient-specific applications. In the present study, an aqueous paste composed of Si3N4 powder and sintering additives was prepared with the requisite rheology and formed into structures with different shape and architecture by robocasting. Sintering and hot isostatic pressing (sinter-HIP) produced an almost dense Si3N4 phase (density = 3.23 ± 0.01 g/cm3) with a microstructure composed of fibrous grains. Four-point bending tests of as-fabricated dense beams showed a flexural strength of 552 ± 68 MPa. Together, these results indicate that robocasting combined with sinter-HIP could provide a manufacturing strategy to create Si3N4 implants with controllable shape and architecture for applications in reconstructive surgery.

Meeting Name

41st International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites, ICACC 2017 (2017: Jan. 22-27, Daytona Beach, FL)

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

3D Printers; Architecture; Bending Tests; Bioceramics; Hot Isostatic Pressing; Silicon Nitride; Surgery, Different Shapes; Fibrous Grains; Four-Point Bending Test; Manufacturing Strategy; Patient Specific; Reconstructive Surgery; Sintering Additives; Spinal Fusion, Sintering

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-111904043-9

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0196-6219

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2018 American Ceramic Society, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Feb 2018

Link to Full Text

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