Micro electro-discharge machining of advanced ceramics for bone fixation

The project deals with the production of customized, cost-effective and less inflammatory bone integrable fixation devices. An established bioceramic (Si3N4) will be functionalized adding an electro-conductive phase (TiN), in order to allow micro-Electro Discharge Machining (m-EDM). Unlike traditional labour- and cost-intensive approaches, m-EDM is a promising technology to produce ceramic components with complex 3D shapes and micro sized features, like screws and mini-plates for mini-fixation. m-EDM opens the possibility to surface engineering to promote bone integration. Textured surfaces with pores and channels of proper sizes can be easily produced. Screws with interconnected channels will be realized with porosity suitable for bone integrable macro-fixation. A deep investigation of the microstructural, mechanical and surface functional properties, including cell/material interaction, will be conducted to assess the suitability of the produced devices in the biomedical field.