Authors: Nikhil D Doiphode Tieshu Huang Ming C Leu Mohamed N Rahaman Delbert E Day
Publish Date: 2011/01/30
Volume: 22, Issue: 3, Pages: 515-523
Abstract
A solid freeform fabrication technique freeze extrusion fabrication FEF was investigated for the creation of threedimensional bioactive glass 13–93 scaffolds with predesigned porosity and pore architecture An aqueous mixture of bioactive glass particles and polymeric additives with a pastelike consistency was extruded through a narrow nozzle and deposited layerbylayer in a cold environment according to a computeraided design CAD file Following sublimation of the ice in a freeze dryer the construct was heated according to a controlled schedule to burn out the polymeric additives below ~500°C and to densify the glass phase at higher temperature 1 h at 700°C The sintered scaffolds had a gridlike microstructure of interconnected pores with a porosity of ~50 pore width of ~300 μm and dense glass filaments struts with a diameter or width of ~300 μm The scaffolds showed an elastic response during mechanical testing in compression with an average compressive strength of 140 MPa and an elastic modulus of 5–6 GPa comparable to the values for human cortical bone These bioactive glass scaffolds created by the FEF method could have potential application in the repair of loadbearing bonesThe authors acknowledge the financial support for this research by the Center for Bone Tissue Repair and Regeneration at Missouri University of Science and Technology The bioactive glass 13–93 used in this work was kindly provided by MoSci Corp Rolla Missouri
Keywords: