Evaluation of printed PLA parts for biomedical applications
Biomaterials, PLA, 3D Printing, Biodegradation
Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) has attractive properties for use in the biomedical field because of its biocompatibility, which can be defined as the ability of a material to interact with living tissues without toxicity. PLA is biodegradable, due to its capacity of being disintegrated by biological agents, and also bioreabsorbable, since the product of its degradation participates in the metabolic process of the human organism. Among the manufacturing techniques of PLA parts for biomedical applications, 3D printing stands out as promising, mainly due to the possibility of production of customized and individualized pieces, as well as production by prototyping with high level of detail. However, more studies involving the alteration of properties of the material when it is in contact with the biological environment are still necessary in order to evaluate its application in implantable devices. The objective of this work was to evaluate changes in the properties of PLA parts manufactured by 3D printing when immersed in buffer solution for periods of 7, 14 and 30 days. The samples were evaluated for mass change, chemical changes (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy - FTIR), changes in dynamic mechanical properties (DMA), mechanical tests in 3-point bending and fatigue. The results showed changes of mass, chemical changes and glass transition temperature for the material immersed in buffer solution when compared to the non-immersed material, changes in fatigue life when in buffer solution compared to the non - immersed material.