RESISTANCE WELDING A POROUS METAL LAYER TO A METAL SUBSTRATE

摘要

An apparatus (100) and method are provided for manufacturing an orthopedic prosthesis (10) by resistance welding a porous metal layer (22) of the orthopedic prosthesis onto an underlying metal substrate (20) of the orthopedic prosthesis. The resistance welding process involves directing an electrical current through the porous layer and the substrate, which dissipates as heat to cause softening and/or melting of the materials, especially along the interface between the porous layer and the substrate. The softened and/or melted materials undergo metallurgical bonding at points of contact between the porous layer and the substrate to fixedly secure the porous layer onto the substrate.