Mechanical properties of bio compatible functional prototypes for joining applications in clinical dentistry

Abstract

In the presented research, work investigations have been made for mechanical properties of the functional prototypes prepared from biocompatible filament of fused deposition modelling (FDM), comprising of hydroxyapatite (HAp), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The functional prototypes will be used in clinical dentistry (mainly for joining application for job-type production activities). The filament has been prepared in house using twin screw extrusion process. For evaluation purpose, standard tensile specimens as per ASTM D-638 have been prepared on FDM. This study highlights the effect of three parameters of FDM (namely: infill percentage, layer thickness and speed of extrusion head) on the mechanical properties (namely: load at peak and load at break). The results of the study suggest that infill density has majorly contributed, 92% on load at peak and 89% for load at break, and deposition speed has very less contribution i.e., 1% towards the mechanical strength of the specimen. Further, the results are supported with thermal analysis using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), which ensures that the specimen prepared are thermally stable and can be put in for joining applications for job-type production activities in clinical dentistry.

Keywords:

• additive manufacturing
• biocompatible
• DSC
• FDM
• HAp
• PP
• PVC

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by University Grants Commission [grant number F.30-66/2016 (SA-II)].