Conditions of a layer-by-layer synthesis of 3D parts made of nitinol by a Selective Laser Melting (SLM) are studied. Full-density 3D parts from nitinol are manufactured by the SLM with preheating up to 500°C. The effect of different laser parameters on the structure and an intermetallic phase composition of the melted samples is analyzed by the methods of optical metallography, microhardness measurement, SEM, X-ray and EDX analysis. Optimal SLM conditions for NiTi sample's fabrication and eventual biomedical applications are discussed

An investigation of the technical aspects of producing sufficiently high strength porous biocompatible medical implants and tissue scaffolds from nitinol or pure titanium using selective laser sintering/melting (SLS/M) is presented. In particular, the necessary processing parameters and procedures for successful laser synthesis of functionally graded implants have been established. Physical and mechanical properties, microstructure, corrosion behavior of the synthesized structures, as well as shape memory in porous layered nitinol structures made using laser synthesis are reported. Comparative morphological and histological results of SLS of porous titanium and nitinol made implants are also presented. Investigations were carried out on primary cultures of dermal fibroblasts and mesenchymal stromal human cells. The possibility of cultivating bone marrow on the porous carrier-incubator made from NiTi and pure titaniumin vitro was determined. Sufficient understanding of the nature of laser synthesized titanium and nitinol structures was developed in order to determine their suitability for use as functional implants. This resulted in superior tissue to implant fixation and the development of minimally invasive surgical procedures.

A direct laser metal deposition (DLMD) technology with co-axial powder injection is used to fabricate a complex functional graded structure (FGS) fabrication. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the possibility to produce intermetallic phases in the Ti-Al powder systems in the course of a single-step DMD process. Besides, relationships between the main laser cladding parameters and the intermetallic phase structures of the built-up objects have been studied. In our research we applied the optical microscopy, X-ray analysis, microhardness measurement and SEM with EDX analysis of the laser-fabricated intermetallics. The discussion of the mechanisms of Ti x Al y (x,y = 1.3) intermetallic transformations in exothermal reactions is also offered in the report