Abstract
Purpose - Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a layer by layer technology with the potential to create complex and individual parts from thermoplastic materials like ABS. The use of Polylactic acid (PLA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) as resorbable composite is state of the art in Tissue Engineering and Maxillofacial Surgery. Design/methodology/approach - . In this paper, the general suitability of PLA for the processing with FDM is evaluated and material specific effects (e.g. crystallization and shrinkage) are shown. Therefore the characterization of the semi-crystalline biodegradable material by thermal, mechanical and microscopic analysis is carried out.Findings - Facts, which affect the functional properties of the samples, are analyzed. Among them, the processing temperature and sample size result to significantly affect the morphology of the final components. Components from PLA/TCP with sufficient mechanical properties for their potential use as scaffolds are obtained.Originality/value - Thus by thermal analysis it was possible to identify major influences on processing and part properties.
Purpose - Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a layer by layer technology with the potential to create complex and individual parts from thermoplastic materials like ABS. The use of Polylactic acid (PLA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) as resorbable composite is state of the art in Tissue Engineering and Maxillofacial Surgery. Design/methodology/approach - . In this paper, the general suitability of PLA for the processing with FDM is evaluated and material specific effects (e.g. crystallization and shrinkage) are shown. Therefore the characterization of the semi-crystalline biodegradable material by thermal, mechanical and microscopic analysis is carried out.Findings - Facts, which affect the functional properties of the samples, are analyzed. Among them, the processing temperature and sample size result to significantly affect the morphology of the final components. Components from PLA/TCP with sufficient mechanical properties for their potential use as scaffolds are obtained.Originality/value - Thus by thermal analysis it was possible to identify major influences on processing and part properties.
