Selective laser sintered porous Ti–(4–10)Mo alloys for biomedical applications: Structural characteristics, mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour

• Porous Ti–(4–10)Mo alloys are prepared by indirect selective laser sintering.
• Pore characteristics can be adjusted by Mo content.
• Pore walls exhibit a lamellar microstructure of dominant α and minor β phases.
• Mechanical properties are influenced by porous and microstructural features.
• Corrosion resistance has a greater dependence on pore characteristics.

Porous Ti–(4–10)Mo alloys (4, 6, 8 and 10 wt.% Mo) were prepared from elemental metallic powders by indirect selective laser sintering. This investigation focuses on porous, microstructural, mechanical and electrochemical properties to clarify their interrelation. The results demonstrated that lower porosity level and higher β content are beneficial to improved mechanical behaviour, while smaller pore size and lower porosity to better corrosion resistance. Namely, structural characteristics influence mechanical properties, whereas electrochemical behaviour is dominated mainly by porous features. The unique porous structure combined with suitable mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance make porous Ti–Mo alloys prospective biomaterials for orthopedic implants.