New biocompatible near-beta Ti-Zr-Nb alloy processed by laser powder bed fusion: Process optimization

The laser powder bed fusion parameters were determined for a novel biomedical Ti-18Zr-14Nb (at%) alloy using both analytical and experimental approaches. An analytical model was used to calculate the laser powder bed fusion parameters such as laser power, scanning speed and hatching space providing the energy density on the powder bed surface ranging from 9 to 85 J/mm3, and the build rate - from 12 to 52 cm3/h. A technological processing window corresponding to a 25-45 J/mm3 energy density range and a 10-25 cm3/h build rate range is recommended for the fabrication of the fully dense Ti-18Zr-14Nb alloy with improved surface roughness.