On Fracture Mechanism of 3D Printed Nanofiber-Reinforced PLA Matrix

3D printing of polylactic acid (PLA) is having surgical utilities in numerous orthopedic implants, especially in the reconstruction of fractured and defective bone/tooth/muscles. Some studies have reported that PLA-based nanofibers (NFs) are being used to improve cell adhesion/growth and mechanical properties. But hitherto, fewer studies have reported the fracture mechanism of 3D printed PLA composites sandwiched with PLA-NFs under flexural loading. Such PLA composites are useful in canine orthopedic implants. In this study, 3D printing was performed to sandwich the 01, 02, and 03 layers of PLA-NFs between the layers of the PLA matrix. The results suggested that sandwiching 02 layers of PLA-NFs ensured the maximum resistance against flexural loading (flexural strength 61.62 MPa) and crash loading (modulus of toughness (MoT) 3.327 MPa). The higher surface roughness (Ra) in the PLA + two-layer PLA-NF prototypes (Ra 73.40 & mu;m) was observed due to the involvement of stretched pores contributed by elongation (elongation at break 12%). Overall the PLA + PLA-NFs prototypes subjected to flexural loading have confirmed that flexural properties are suitable (from the surgical perspective).

Automated summary

3D printing of polylactic acid (PLA) is being used in orthopedic implants for reconstructing fractured and defective bone/tooth/muscles. PLA-based nanofibers (NFs) have been reported to improve cell adhesion/growth and mechanical properties. However, there are few studies on the fracture mechanism of 3D printed PLA composites sandwiched with PLA-NFs under flexural loading. These PLA composites are useful in canine orthopedic implants.