Multiscale characterization of additively manufactured PMMA: the influence of sterilization
ISSN: 1355-2546
Article publication date: 12 April 2024
Issue publication date: 1 May 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a remarkable biocompatible material for bone cement and regeneration. It is also considered 3D printable but requires in-depth process–structure–properties studies. This study aims to elucidate the mechanistic effects of processing parameters and sterilization on PMMA-based implants.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach comprised manufacturing samples with different raster angle orientations to capitalize on the influence of the filament alignment with the loading direction. One sample set was sterilized using an autoclave, while another was kept as a reference. The samples underwent a comprehensive characterization regimen of mechanical tension, compression and flexural testing. Thermal and microscale mechanical properties were also analyzed to explore the extent of the appreciated modifications as a function of processing conditions.
Findings
Thermal and microscale mechanical properties remained almost unaltered, whereas the mesoscale mechanical behavior varied from the as-printed to the after-autoclaving specimens. Although the mechanical behavior reported a pronounced dependence on the printing orientation, sterilization had minimal effects on the properties of 3D printed PMMA structures. Nonetheless, notable changes in appearance were attributed, and heat reversed as a response to thermally driven conformational rearrangements of the molecules.
Originality/value
This research further deepens the viability of 3D printed PMMA for biomedical applications, contributing to the overall comprehension of the polymer and the thermal processes associated with its implementation in biomedical applications, including personalized implants.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR” under grant PDC2021-121368-C21; the MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 under grants PID2020-112628RA-I00 and PID2020-118480RB-C22; the U.S. Department of Defense under grants N00014-22-1-2376, W911NF1410039, W911NF1810477 and W911NF2310150; the U.S. National Science Foundation under grants CMMI-1925539 and CMMI-2035663; and the US–Spain Fullbright Commission under grant FULB-PREDOC-2022.
Disclosure statement: The authors report that there are no conflicts of interest to declare.
Citation
Rufo-Martín, C., Mantecón, R., Youssef, G., Miguelez, H. and Díaz-Álvarez, J. (2024), "Multiscale characterization of additively manufactured PMMA: the influence of sterilization", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 30 No. 4, pp. 798-810. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-10-2023-0364
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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