Sintered titanium-bioceramic composites: A finite element performance analysis suggested for use in cranial surgical fixation plates.

Abstract

Optimizing titanium-bioceramic composites via the SPS technique, and using FE analysis to assess their mechanical performance, forms the basis of this study, which aims at replacing the conventional Ti-alloy frequently used in craniotomy procedures. Composites TB1, TB2, and TB3 are formed with uniform volume percentage Ti-alloy and varied percentages of Zirconia (1.5,1.0, 0.5) vol.%, and constant 0.5 vol.% Si₃N₄ for all samples. With 1000°C temp, 50 MPa pressure,15 minutes dwell time, and 100°C/min heating rate, the powders were consolidated. The microstructural evolution and bulk morphology of the starting powders and sintered discs produced were investigated using SEM-EDS. The hardness and elastic modulus of the trio-composites were also investigated using the nanoindentation technique. All composite samples attained theoretical densities of 97.24, 98.27, and 99.37 percent, respectively, well above 96.62% of the unreinforced sintered Ti-alloy. Composite TB3 recorded the highest in relative density, elastic modulus, Vickers' hardness, and Nano hardness at 99.37%, 172.75 GPa, 795.77 MPa, and 8941.75 MPa, respectively. TB3 was chosen for the mechanical validation process through a computerized 3-dimensional FEA model, utilizing the front-end commercial software via the Complete Abaqus Environment (CAE) with robust finite element analysis software. The radial mechanical and coupled radial thermomechanical loadings concept, crucial for understanding the mechanical performance of the sintered plate, reveals elastic deformation rather than plastic deformation, suggesting that 'yielding' will not occur under the applied loads. This computational model design and the result are notable for the mechanical performance validation of sintered titanium-bioceramic composites for biomedical applications.