The effects of laser energy density and particle size in the selective laser sintering of polycaprolactone/progesterone specimens: morphology and drug release

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (5-8) ◽  
pp. 1113-1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gean Vitor Salmoria ◽  
Priscila Klauss ◽  
Karine Modolon Zepon ◽  
Luiz Alberto Kanis
2014 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 640496 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. V. Salmoria ◽  
D. Hotza ◽  
P. Klauss ◽  
L. A. Kanis ◽  
C. R. M. Roesler

The techniques of Rapid Prototyping, also known as Additive Manufacturing, have prompted research into methods of manufacturing polymeric materials with controlled porosity. This paper presents the characterization of the structure and mechanical properties of porous polycaprolactone (PCL) fabricated by Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) using two different particle sizes and laser processing conditions. The results of this study indicated that it is possible to control the microstructure, that is, pore size and degree of porosity, of the polycaprolactone matrix using the SLS technique, by varying the particle size and laser energy density, obtaining materials suitable for different applications, scaffolds and drug delivery and fluid mechanical devices. The specimens manufactured with smaller particles and higher laser energy density showed a higher degree of sintering, flexural modulus, and fatigue resistance when compared with the other specimens.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhu ◽  
Chunze Yan ◽  
Yunsong Shi ◽  
Shifeng Wen ◽  
Changjun Han ◽  
...  

Purpose Semi-crystalline polymers such as polyamide-12 can be used for selective laser sintering (SLS) to make near-fully dense plastic parts. At present, however, the types of semi-crystalline polymers suitable for SLS are critically limited. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the processibility of a new kind of semi-crystalline polypropylene (PP) with low isotacticity for SLS process. Design/methodology/approach The SLS processibility of the PP powder, including particle size and shape, sintering window, degree of crystallinity and degradation temperature, was evaluated. Effects of the applied laser energy density on the surface micromorphology, density, tensile strength and thermal properties of SLS-built PP specimens were studied. Findings The results show that the PP powder has a nearly spherical shape, smooth surfaces, an appropriate average particle size of 63.6 μm, a broad sintering window of 21 oC and low crystalline degree of 30.4 per cent comparable to that of polyamide-12, a high degradation temperature of 381.8°C and low part bed temperature of 105°C, indicating a very good SLS processibility. The density and the tensile strength first increase with increasing laser energy density until they reach the maximum values of 0.831 g/cm3 and 19.9 MPa, respectively, at the laser energy density of 0.0458 J/mm2, and then decrease when the applied laser energy density continue to increase owing to the degradation of PP powders. The complex PP components have been manufactured by SLS using the optimum parameters, which are strong enough to be directly used as functional parts. Originality/value This paper provides a new knowledge for this field that low-isotacticity PPs exhibit good SLS processibility, therefore increasing material types and broadening the application of SLS technology.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 369-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cijun Shuai ◽  
Jingyu Zhuang ◽  
Shuping Peng ◽  
Xuejun Wen

Purpose – The paper aims to fabricate an α-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) scaffold with an interconnected porous structure via selective laser sintering (SLS). To inhibit the phase transformation from β- to α-TCP in fabrication process of porous scaffolds, a small amount (1 weight per cent) of poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) is added into β-TCP powder to introduce the transient liquid phase. Design/methodology/approach – The paper opted for the transient liquid phase of melting PLLA to decrease the sintering temperature in SLS. Meanwhile, the densification of β-TCP is enhanced with a combined effect of the capillary force caused by melting PLLA and the surface energy of β-TCP particles. Moreover, the PLLA will gradually decompose and completely disappear with laser irradiation. Findings – The testing results show the addition of PLLA enables the scaffolds to achieve a higher β-TCP content of 77 ± 1.49 weight per cent compared with the scaffold sintered from β-TCP powder (60 ± 1.65 weight per cent), when the laser energy density is 0.4 J/mm2. The paper provides the mechanism of PLLA inhibition on the phase transformation from β- to α-TCP. And the optimum sintering parameters are obtained based on experimental results, which are used to prepare a TCP scaffold with an interconnected porous structure via SLS. Research limitations/implications – This paper shows that the laser energy density is an important sintering parameter that can provide the means to control the micro-porous structure of the scaffold. If the laser energy density is too low, the densification is not enough. On the other hand, if the laser energy density is too high, the microcracks are observed which are attributed to the volume expansion during the phase transformation from β- to α-TCP. Therefore, the laser energy density must be optimized. Originality/value – The paper provides a feasible method for fabricating TCP artificial bone scaffold with good biological and mechanical properties.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Huang ◽  
Pei Feng ◽  
Chengde Gao ◽  
Xiong Shuai ◽  
Tao Xiao ◽  
...  

Porous poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) scaffolds were prepared by selective laser sintering. The effects of laser energy density, ranging from 0.66 to 2.16 J/mm2, on microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. At low energy density levels, PVDF particles could fuse well and the structure becomes dense with the increase of the energy density. Smoke and defects (such as holes) were observed when the energy density increased above 1.56 J/mm2which indicated decomposition of the PVDF powder. The scaffolds appeared to be light yellow and there was a reduction in tensile strength. The fabricated scaffolds were immersed into simulated body fluid for different time to evaluate biostability. In addition, MG63 cells were seeded and cultured for different days on the scaffolds. The testing results showed that the cells grew and spread well, indicating that PVDF scaffolds had good biocompatibility.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1701
Author(s):  
Yanis A. Gueche ◽  
Noelia M. Sanchez-Ballester ◽  
Bernard Bataille ◽  
Adrien Aubert ◽  
Jean-Christophe Rossi ◽  
...  

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of process parameters on the printability of a formulation containing copovidone and paracetamol, and on the properties of solid oral forms 3D-printed through selective laser sintering. Firstly, the influence of the heating temperature was evaluated individually, and it was revealed that this parameter was critical for printability, as a sufficiently high temperature (100 °C) is necessary to avoid curling. Secondly, the effects of laser power, scan speed, and layer thickness were determined using a Box–Behnken design. The measured responses, printing yield, height, weight, hardness, disintegration time, and percentage of drug release at 10 min showed the following ranges of values: 55.6–100%, 2.92–3.96 mm, 98.2–187.2 mg, 9.2–83.4 N, 9.7–997.7 s, and 25.8–99.9%, respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) proved that the generated quadratic models and the effect of the three–process parameters were significant (p < 0.05). Yield improved at high laser power, low scan speed, and increased layer thickness. Height was proportional to laser power, and inversely proportional to scan speed and layer thickness. Variations in the other responses were related to the porosity of the SOFs, which were dependent on the value of energy density. Low laser power, fast scan speed, and high layer thickness values favored a lower energy density, resulting in low weight and hardness, rapid disintegration, and a high percentage of drug release at 10 min. Finally, an optimization was performed, and an additional experiment validated the model. In conclusion, by applying a Quality by Design approach, this study demonstrates that process parameters are critical for printability, but also offer a way to personalize the properties of the SOFs.


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