title: Understanding the role of dip-coating process parameters in the mechanical performance of polymer-coated bioglass robocast scaffolds.
abstract: The effect of different dip-coating variables-solvent, deposition temperature and polymer concentration-on the mechanical performance of polycaprolactone-coated 45S5 bioglass robocast scaffolds is systematically analyzed in this work. The reproducible geometry of the scaffolds produced by this additive manufacturing technique makes them an optimal model system and facilitates the analysis. The results suggest that the mechanical performance of the hybrid scaffolds is improved monotonically with polymer concentration, but this concentration cannot be increased indefinitely if the macroporosity interconnectivity, and thus the scaffold׳s capacity to promote tissue ingrowth, are to be preserved. An optimal concentration, and therefore viscosity (~1-4Pas in the present case), exists for any given set of process variables (scaffold geometry and material, polymer, solvent and process temperature) that yields coatings with optimal reinforcement and minimal reduction of scaffold functionality. Solvent and process temperature do not directly affect the strengthening provided by the polymeric coating. However they can determine the maximum concentration at the critical viscosity, and thereby the maximum achievable mechanical performance of the resulting hybrid scaffold.
authors: Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de los Materiales, Universidad de Extremadura, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain.
authors: Azadeh
authors: A
authors: Motealleh
authors: Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de los Materiales, Universidad de Extremadura, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain.
authors: Siamak
authors: S
authors: Eqtesadi
authors: Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de los Materiales, Universidad de Extremadura, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain.
authors: Fidel Hugo
authors: FH
authors: Perera
authors: Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de los Materiales, Universidad de Extremadura, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain.
authors: Antonia
authors: A
authors: Pajares
authors: Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de los Materiales, Universidad de Extremadura, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain.
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Guiberteau
authors: Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de los Materiales, Universidad de Extremadura, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain. Electronic address: pmiranda@unex.es.
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Miranda
mesh_terms: D002516:Ceramics; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D016062:Porosity; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: C022107:Bioglass; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C016240:polycaprolactone
keywords: 45S5 bioactive glass; Dip-coating; Mechanical properties; Robocasting; Scaffold