Feasibility analysis in the production of porous scaffolds by 3D printing
Bioprinting, Scaffolds, PLA, AZDA
This work analyzed the feasibility of producing porous scaffolds by 3D printing (IMP3D) via melt-deposition modeling (FDM) of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with azodicarbonamide (AZDA) blowing agent. Initially, a preliminary study was carried out evaluating rheologically, mechanically e morphologically the specimens in Poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene) (ABS), Poly(ethylene terephthalate) bottle grade (PETG) and PLA, both by injection molding, as well as by IMP3D, using nozzles with diameters of 0.3; 0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.8; 1.0, After weighing the productive efficiency, the processability, and the mechanical results obtained, IMP3D and PLA were selected as the most suitable technique and material for the production of porous scaffolds. Subsequently, a second preliminary study of the PLA material was carried out, evaluating its responses to multiple processes in a twin-screw extruder, to verify the visual and rheological changes presented after each thermal cycle. Finally, the PLA was mixed with the expanding agent azodicarbonamide (AZDA) in a twin-screw extruder, and incorporated into a single-screw extruder, obtaining PLA filaments with inert AZDA, for subsequent printing of porous scaffolds, in the proportions of: 100/0; 100/2; 100/4; 100/6; 100/8. The rheological, morphological and wettability characterizations of the developed materials were carried out, noting the increase in PLA viscosity when subjected to more thermal cycles, through the morphologies carried out it was possible to perceive a greater appearance of pores in the central regions of the filaments, as the wettability test showed greater spreading for the expanded PLA and PLA samples with inert AZDA.