Mechanical properties of calcium phosphate scaffolds fabricated by robocasting.
The mechanical behavior under compressive stresses of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds fabricated by direct-write assembly (robocasting) technique is analyzed. Concentrated colloidal inks prepared from beta-TCP and HA commercial powders were used to fabricate porous structures consisting of a 3-D tetragonal mesh of interpenetrating ceramic rods. The compressive strength and elastic modulus of these model scaffolds were determined by uniaxial testing to compare the relative performance of the selected materials. The effect of a 3-week immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) on the strength of the scaffolds was also analyzed. The results are compared with those reported in the literature for calcium phosphate scaffolds and human bone. The robocast calcium phosphate scaffolds were found to exhibit excellent mechanical performances in terms of strength, especially the HA structures after SBF immersion, indicating a great potential of this type of scaffolds for use in load-bearing bone tissue engineering applications.
Miranda
Pedro
P
Departamento de Electrónica e Ingeniería Electromecánica, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda de Elvas s/n. 06071 Badajoz, Spain. pmiranda@unex.es
Pajares
Antonia
A
Saiz
Eduardo
E
Tomsia
Antoni P
AP
Guiberteau
Fernando
F
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D019245:Compressive Strength; D017886:Durapatite; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C485817:beta-tricalcium phosphate; D017886:Durapatite; C020243:calcium phosphate