Effects of Poly (ε-caprolactone) Coating on the Properties of Three-Dimensional Printed Porous Structures

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)
536 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Powder-based inkjet three-dimensional printing (3DP) to fabricate pre-designed 3D structures has drawn increasing attention. However there are intrinsic limitations associated with 3DP technology due to the weak bonding within the printed structure, which significantly compromises its mechanical integrity. In this study, calcium sulphate ceramic structures demonstrating a porous architecture were manufactured using 3DP technology and subsequently post-processed with a poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) coating. PCL concentration, immersion time, and number of coating layers were the principal parameters investigated and improvement in compressive properties was the measure of success. Interparticle spacing within the 3DP structures were successfully filled with PCL material. Consequently the compressive properties, wettability, morphology, and in vitro resorption behaviour of 3DP components were significantly augmented. The average compressive strength, Young’s modulus, and toughness increased 217%, 250%, and 315%, following PCL coating. Addition of a PCL surface coating provided long-term structural support to the host ceramic material, extending the resorption period from less than 7 days to a minimum of 56 days. This study has demonstrated that application of a PCL coating onto a ceramic 3DP structure was a highly effective approach to addressing some of the limitations of 3DP manufacturing and allows this advanced technology to be potentially used in a wider range of applications.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)68-83
JournalJournal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
Volume70
Issue numberJune 2017
Early online date04 May 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of Poly (ε-caprolactone) Coating on the Properties of Three-Dimensional Printed Porous Structures'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this