Investigations for mechanical properties of Hap, PVC and PP based 3D porous structures obtained through biocompatible FDM filaments

In last two decades fused deposition modelling (FDM) has emerged as a standout amongst the most broadly utilized process for fabrication of 3D functional parts in bone tissue engineering. However this technique is still facing substantial problems to produce porous structure having sufficient mechanical strength. In this present research an exertion has been made to develop a bio-compatible FDM filament which has been further used to fabricate 3D porous structure. The results of the study highlighted the effect of FDM process parameters (infill percentage, infill speed and layer thickness) on the tensile properties (percentage elongation at peak, percentage elongation at break and yield stress) of the 3D functional prototypes. It has been observed that infill percentage has major contribution i.e. 92% towards peak elongation, 91% towards break elongation and 80% towards yield stress. The remaining two parameters have very less contribution towards mechanical properties of the 3D structures. For microscopic analysis the microphotographs of scanning electron microscope (SEM) have been taken to ensure the structure produced is porous enough and can be used in a variety of engineering and biomedical applications. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.