Mechanical Design of a Novel Functionally Graded Lattice Structure for Long Bone Scaffolds
Open-cellular Ti6Al4V lattice structures have found application in porous scaffolds that can match the properties of human bone, which consists of a dense cortical shell and a less-dense cancellous core with an apparent density ranging from 1.3 to 2.1 g/cm<sup>3</sup> and 0.1 to 1.3 g/cm...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Fabio Distefano Gabriella Epasto Mahsa Zojaji Heidi-Lynn Ploeg |
| author_facet | Fabio Distefano Gabriella Epasto Mahsa Zojaji Heidi-Lynn Ploeg |
| author_sort | Fabio Distefano |
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| description | Open-cellular Ti6Al4V lattice structures have found application in porous scaffolds that can match the properties of human bone, which consists of a dense cortical shell and a less-dense cancellous core with an apparent density ranging from 1.3 to 2.1 g/cm<sup>3</sup> and 0.1 to 1.3 g/cm<sup>3</sup>, respectively. The implantation of porous scaffolds is essential for treating large bone defects and must mimic natural bone’s geometric and mechanical behaviour. Functionally graded lattice structures offer spatial variation in mechanical properties, making them suitable for biomedical applications. While the mechanical behaviour of lattice structures is typically evaluated under compression, their flexural properties remain largely underexplored. The aim of this research is to assess the flexural rigidity of a novel lattice material, namely Triply Arranged Octagonal Rings (TAORs), with both uniform and functionally graded architectures, to reproduce the flexural properties of long bones. Titanium alloy scaffolds have been designed with a TAOR cell, whose relative densities range from 10% to 40% with full and hollow sections. Morphological considerations were carried out during the design process to obtain a scaffold geometry which complies with the optimal characteristics required to promote osteointegration. A non-linear finite element (FE) model was developed. Three- and four-point bending tests were simulated, and the results were compared with those of a bone surrogate for long bones. Scaffolds with 10% and 20% relative densities showed flexural rigidity close to that of the bone surrogate and proved to be potential candidates for application in biomedical devices for long bones. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aebcc5b9a5fc479d85ad7cb95a6610e6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2411-9660 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-aebcc5b9a5fc479d85ad7cb95a6610e62025-08-20T03:24:39ZengMDPI AGDesigns2411-96602025-05-01936210.3390/designs9030062Mechanical Design of a Novel Functionally Graded Lattice Structure for Long Bone ScaffoldsFabio Distefano0Gabriella Epasto1Mahsa Zojaji2Heidi-Lynn Ploeg3Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada Di Dio-Vill. Sant’ Agata, 98166 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Engineering, University of Messina, Contrada Di Dio-Vill. Sant’ Agata, 98166 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Smith Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, CanadaDepartment of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Smith Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, CanadaOpen-cellular Ti6Al4V lattice structures have found application in porous scaffolds that can match the properties of human bone, which consists of a dense cortical shell and a less-dense cancellous core with an apparent density ranging from 1.3 to 2.1 g/cm<sup>3</sup> and 0.1 to 1.3 g/cm<sup>3</sup>, respectively. The implantation of porous scaffolds is essential for treating large bone defects and must mimic natural bone’s geometric and mechanical behaviour. Functionally graded lattice structures offer spatial variation in mechanical properties, making them suitable for biomedical applications. While the mechanical behaviour of lattice structures is typically evaluated under compression, their flexural properties remain largely underexplored. The aim of this research is to assess the flexural rigidity of a novel lattice material, namely Triply Arranged Octagonal Rings (TAORs), with both uniform and functionally graded architectures, to reproduce the flexural properties of long bones. Titanium alloy scaffolds have been designed with a TAOR cell, whose relative densities range from 10% to 40% with full and hollow sections. Morphological considerations were carried out during the design process to obtain a scaffold geometry which complies with the optimal characteristics required to promote osteointegration. A non-linear finite element (FE) model was developed. Three- and four-point bending tests were simulated, and the results were compared with those of a bone surrogate for long bones. Scaffolds with 10% and 20% relative densities showed flexural rigidity close to that of the bone surrogate and proved to be potential candidates for application in biomedical devices for long bones.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-9660/9/3/62graded lattice structureboneflexural rigidityfinite element method |
| spellingShingle | Fabio Distefano Gabriella Epasto Mahsa Zojaji Heidi-Lynn Ploeg Mechanical Design of a Novel Functionally Graded Lattice Structure for Long Bone Scaffolds Designs graded lattice structure bone flexural rigidity finite element method |
| title | Mechanical Design of a Novel Functionally Graded Lattice Structure for Long Bone Scaffolds |
| title_full | Mechanical Design of a Novel Functionally Graded Lattice Structure for Long Bone Scaffolds |
| title_fullStr | Mechanical Design of a Novel Functionally Graded Lattice Structure for Long Bone Scaffolds |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanical Design of a Novel Functionally Graded Lattice Structure for Long Bone Scaffolds |
| title_short | Mechanical Design of a Novel Functionally Graded Lattice Structure for Long Bone Scaffolds |
| title_sort | mechanical design of a novel functionally graded lattice structure for long bone scaffolds |
| topic | graded lattice structure bone flexural rigidity finite element method |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-9660/9/3/62 |
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