Functional graded scaffold of HDPE/HA prepared by selective laser sintering: microstructure and mechanical properties

This paper presents a study on the effect of hydroxyapatite (HA) content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/HA composites and the fabrication of functional graded scaffold of HDPE/HA by selective laser sintering (SLS). The microstructure of the sintered composite scaffolds had interconnected pores with diameters of 30-180 mu m and porosity of 45-48 %. The HDPE/HA composite scaffolds had a flexural modulus of 36-161 MPa and ultimate strength of 4.5-33 MPa. The maximum loss modulus peak tended toward lower temperature values for HDPE/HA composites with 10 and 20 % of HA content, indicating that the alpha(chi) relaxation was slightly affected by higher quantities of HA. The HA particles reinforced the matrix and minimized the plastic and definitive deformation under the test conditions. HDPE/HA functional graded scaffold fabricated using SLS with controlled microstructure and properties showed considerable potential for biomedical applications, being suitable for bone and cartilage tissue engineering.