Multimetal 3D Printing of Shape Memory Alloys for Medical Applications (MultiShape)

NiTi shape memory alloys have garnered significant attention in medical applications due to their exceptional superelastic (SE) properties, which enable them to recover their original shape after deformation. The advent of additive manufacturing (AM) has transformed the design possibilities for NiTi alloys, allowing for the fabrication of intricate medical devices with precise geometries and tailored functionalities that were previously unattainable using conventional methods. Recent advancements in multimetal 3D printing technologies now offer unprecedented opportunities to design and fabricate components with substantial clinical potential, such as bone implants, stents, and surgical tools.
The MultiShape project focuses on exploring the printability of multimetal parts, including NiTi and Ti64 alloys, for the development of multifunctional bone implants. NiTi alloys are particularly promising due to their lower stiffness, which more closely matches that of natural bone compared to Ti alloys. Meanwhile, Ti64 alloy offers the necessary mechanical strength for fixation components and areas requiring higher mechanical performance. This study will investigate various design strategies and conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the optimal process parameters for fabricating these multimetal parts. The printed components will undergo extensive microstructural and thermomechanical characterization to assess their quality and performance. The findings highlight the immense potential of multimetal 3D printing for medical applications, with implications extending beyond the healthcare sector.