Effect of Sterilization on the Dimensional and Mechanical Behavior of Polylactic Acid Pieces Produced by Fused Deposition Modeling

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 15; no. 15; p. 3317
• Main Authors: Garnica-Bohórquez, Israel, Güiza-Argüello, Viviana R, López-Gualdrón, Clara I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.08.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: 3-D printers; additive manufacturing; Analysis; Back surgery; Chemical processes; Deposition; Developing countries; Dimensional stability; Formaldehyde; Fused deposition modeling; Lactic acid; LDCs; Low income groups; Manufacturing; material extrusion (MEX); Mechanical properties; Medical device industry; Medical devices; Medical equipment; Methods; Orthopedics; Polylactic acid; polylactic acid (PLA); Polymers; Software; Sterilization; Surgeons; Surgical instruments; Temperature; Titanium alloys; Colombia; United States > US; Netherlands; polylactic acid (PLA); additive manufacturing; material extrusion (MEX); sterilization
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym15153317

To successfully implement additive manufacturing (AM) techniques for custom medical device (MD) production with low-cost resources, it is imperative to understand the effect of common and affordable sterilization processes, such as formaldehyde or steam sterilization, on pieces manufactured by AM. In this way, the performance of low-risk MDs, such as biomodels and surgical guides, could be assessed for complying with safety, precision, and MD delivery requirements. In this context, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of formaldehyde and steam sterilization on the dimensional and mechanical stability of standard polylactic acid (PLA) test pieces produced by fused deposition modeling (FDM). To achieve this, PLA samples were sterilized according to the sterilization protocol of a public hospital in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia. Significant changes regarding mechanical and dimensional properties were found as a function of manufacturing parameters. This research attempts to contribute to the development of affordable approaches for the fabrication of functional and customized medical devices through AM technologies, an issue of particular interest for low- and middle-income countries.