The practical process of manufacturing poly(methyl methacrylate)-based scaffolds having high porosity and high strength

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based scaffolds have been produced using the granule casting method with grain sizes M80-100 and M100-140. The novelty of this study was the application of the cold-cutting method (CCm) to reduce the PMMA granule size. PMMA granule shape, granule size (mesh), and sintering temperature were the primary variables in manufacturing PMMA scaffolds. CCm was applied to reduce the granule size of commercial PMMA, which was originally solid cylindrical, by lowering the temperature to 3.5 degrees C, 0 degrees C, and-8.3 degrees C. PMMA granules that had been reduced were sieved with mesh sizes M80-100 and M100-140. Green bodies were made by the granule casting method using an aluminum mold measuring 8 x 8 x 8 mm3. The sintering process was carried out at temperatures varying from 115 degrees C to 140 degrees C, a heating rate of 5 degrees C/min, and a holding time of 2 h, the cooling process was carried out in a furnace. The characterization of the PMMA-based scaffolds' properties was carried out by observing the microstructure with SEM, analyzing the distribution of pore sizes with ImageJ software, and testing the porosity, the phase, with XRD, and the compressive strength. The best results from the overall analysis were the M80-100 PMMA scaffold treated at a sintering temperature of 130 degrees C with compressive strength, porosity, and pore size distribution values of 8.2 MPa, 62.0%, and 121-399 mu m, respectively, and the M100-140 one treated at a sintering temperature of 135 degrees C with compressive strength, porosity, and pore size distribution values of 12.1 MPa, 61.2%, and 140-366 mu m, respectively. There were interconnected pores in the PMMA scaffolds, as evidenced by the SEM images. There was no PMMA phase change between before and after the sintering process.

Automated summary

In this study, PMMA-based scaffolds were produced using the granule casting method. The cold-cutting method was applied to reduce the PMMA granule size, and the best results were achieved at temperatures of 3.5 degrees C, 0 degrees C, and -8.3 degrees C. The M80-100 PMMA scaffold treated at a sintering temperature of 130 degrees C showed the highest compressive strength, porosity, and pore size distribution.