Development, Physiochemical characterization, Mechanical and Finite element analysis of 3D printed Polylactide-β-TCP/α-AlO composite.

Herein, material extrusion (MEX) technique is utilized to develop 3D printed models based on reinforcing β-Ca(PO)/α-AlO composite in polylactide (PLA) matrix. β-Ca(PO)/α-AlO composite has been synthesized through co-precipitation method and the phase content of β-Ca(PO) and α-AlO components are respectively determined as 64 and 36 wt%. The resultant β-Ca(PO)/α-AlO composite mixed with PLA at various weight ratios were extruded as filaments and subsequently 3D printed into definite shapes for the physiochemical, morphological and mechanical evaluation. 3D printed bodies that comprise 5 wt % β-Ca(PO)/α-AlO composite yielded an increasing tensile, compressive and flexural strength in the corresponding order of ∼15, ∼15 and 22% than 3D printed pure PLA. Further, the Representative volume element (RVE) unit cells developed based on the various investigated compositions of PLA-β-Ca(PO)/α-AlO were subjected to mechanical evaluation through Finite element analysis (FEA) under both static and dynamic loading conditions on ASTM standard specimens. The results from experimental and FEA analysis demonstrated good uniformity that confirmed the reinforcement of 5 wt % β-Ca(PO)/α-AlO in PLA matrix as an optimum combination to yield better mechanical strength.