Surface quality and absorption properties of Polymeric Composite (PLA-PCU) fabricated using 3D printing for articular cartilage application

• Main Authors: Abdollah, Mohd Fadzli bin, KAZIM, MUHAMMAD NUR AKMAL, Amiruddin, Hilmi, Ramli, Faiz Redza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Tribology Society (Mytribos) 2022
• Online Access: http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/27065/2/0110202022023.PDF; http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/27065/; https://jurnaltribologi.mytribos.org/index.html; https://jurnaltribologi.mytribos.org/v35/JT-35-167-185.pdf

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of four 3D printing process parameters (i.e., layer thickness, PCU composition, nozzle speed and extruding temperature) on the surface roughness and absorption rate of the mixture of PolyLactic Acid (PLA) and PolyCarbonate Urethane (PCU). The specimen was printed using a Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technology. The response surface methodology was used for analysing all the experimental data and developing an effective empirical prediction model. The results of the study indicated that the generated model was not much significant with regards to absorption rate, while it was very significant for the surface roughness response parameter. A detailed analysis of the results indicated that layer thickness was the most significant factor that affected the surface roughness, while PCU composition affected the absorption rate. The optimal surface roughness (2.5400 µm) and absorption rate (0.0470%) of the printing process parameters was obtained when PCU concentration is 10 wt.%, layer thickness 0.1 mm, nozzle speed 15 mm/s and extruding temperature 195℃.