Electron Beam Melted (EBM) Co-Cr-Mo Alloy for Orthopaedic Implant Applications
Abstract
The Electron Beam Melting (EBM) manufacturing process is emerging as an additional method
for producing orthopaedic devices in several materials, including Co-Cr-Mo Alloy. This work
presents the chemical, microstructural and mechanical properties of several test specimens
produced by the EBM process before and after a post‐EBM Heat treatment. Comparisons are
made to the properties of Co-Cr-Mo materials used within the orthopaedic implant industry
processed by conventional methods such as investment casting and machining from wrought.
The results of the work are promising, and demonstrate that EBM produced Co-Cr-Mo material
has comparable, and in several cases superior microstructural and mechanical properties to those
found in the traditionally-processed materials used today.