Mechanical and Wear Response of TiO₂ Scaffolds Processed via Powder Metallurgy

In the present work, TiO₂ scaffolds are prepared by space holder technique via powder metallurgy. NaCl (0–20 vol%) is used as the space holder material to process TiO₂ scaffolds with varied porosity between 13.70 and 35.41%. The calcination of the TiO₂ powders resulted improvement in the density and mechanical properties of TiO₂ scaffolds after sintering (at 1500 °C for 2 h). The XRD of sintered TiO₂ revealed presence of only rutile phase, whereas the starting TiO₂ powders possess both anatase and rutile crystalline phases. Depending on the processing conditions, the Young’s modulus and the compression strength of TiO₂ measured in the range of 0.68–17.50 GPa and 18.62–360.40 MPa, respectively. A very low COF of 0.104 is evident for TiO₂ disk after sliding against Si₃N₄ ball. Low wear rate of 1.10 × 10^–7 mm³/m N was measured for TiO₂, and it falls within the mild wear regime. These properties of TiO₂ clearly indicate its potential for both the cortical and cancellous bone applications. However, future study needs to be focused on controlling pore morphology of TiO₂ scaffolds.