Powder Loading Effects on the Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed Poly Lactic Acid/Hydroxyapatite Biocomposites

Abstract

This study presents the physicochemical and mechanical behavior of incorporating hydroxyapatite (HAp) with polylactic acid (PLA) matrix in 3D printed PLA/HAp composite materials. Effects of powder loading to the composition, crystallinity, morphology, and mechanical properties were observed. HAp was synthesized from locally sourced nanoprecipitated calcium carbonate and served as the filler for the PLA matrix. The 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt. % HAp biocomposite filaments were formed using a twin-screw extruder. The resulting filaments were 3D printed in an Ultimaker S5 machine utilizing a fused deposition modeling technology. Successful incorporation of HAp and PLA was observed using infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanical properties of pure PLA had improved on the incorporation of 15% HAp; from 32.7 to 47.3 MPa in terms of tensile strength; and 2.3 to 3.5 GPa for stiffness. Moreover, the preliminary in vitro bioactivity test of the 3D printed PLA/HAp biocomposite samples in simulated body fluid (SBF) indicated varying weight gains and the presence of apatite species’ XRD peaks. The HAp particles embedded in the PLA matrix acted as nucleation sites for the deposition of salts and apatite species from the SBF solution

Characterization of 3D-printed PLA parts with different raster orientations and printing speeds

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3D‐printed polymer nanocomposites with carbon quantum dots for enhanced properties and in situ monitoring of cardiovascular stents

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Influence of Ceramic Particles Size and Ratio on Surface—Volume Features of the Naturally Derived HA-Reinforced Filaments for Biomedical Applications

“…Similarly, structures consisting of only HA indicated a slow degradation rate and a reduced porosity level several months after implantation [ 23 , 31 ]. As such, recent dedicated studies focused on the necessity to create advanced materials, namely advanced composites based on commercial/synthetic CaPs and a polymeric matrix (mostly PLA) [ 7 , 20 , 24 , 26 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. When prospecting the synthesis of CaPs/PLA filaments as promising feedstock materials for the FDM method, several issues were raised: (i) the poor interfacial adhesion given by the opposed wettability behavior of the two components, (ii) the optimum CaPs ratio in order to ensure a uniform and homogenous dispersion into the polymer matrix, (iii) the appearance of subsequent porosity at the particle–matrix interface, (iv) the adequate overall hydrophilic character of the mixtures, and (v) the mechanical takeover function of CaPs ratio and dispersion degree.…”

“…Several chemical and physical methods for surface modification were deployed and reported in order to improve the interplay between the two materials (e.g., addition of binders, polyacids/acrylic acids, plasticizers, and impact modifiers), yet not always with the most desired results [ 7 , 25 , 27 , 29 , 30 ]. Moreover, the ratio of admixed CaPs varied in all studies from 3 wt.% to a maximum of 20–40 wt.% with different increments, and led to either a random distribution or agglomeration of the particles, or both [ 20 , 26 , 30 , 32 , 34 ]. A higher ratio of CaPs (>20 wt.%) was also associated with the deformation of the extruded filaments in terms of diameter size and surface regularity [ 26 , 29 , 34 ].…”

“…Moreover, the ratio of admixed CaPs varied in all studies from 3 wt.% to a maximum of 20–40 wt.% with different increments, and led to either a random distribution or agglomeration of the particles, or both [ 20 , 26 , 30 , 32 , 34 ]. A higher ratio of CaPs (>20 wt.%) was also associated with the deformation of the extruded filaments in terms of diameter size and surface regularity [ 26 , 29 , 34 ]. Nonetheless, the higher the content of CaPs, the higher the regenerative ability of the composite structure, due to the formation of more nucleation sites for apatite species deposition [ 25 , 34 ].…”