Recent Advances in 3D Printing of Aliphatic Polyesters

Abstract

3D printing represents a valuable alternative to traditional processing methods, clearly demonstrated by the promising results obtained in the manufacture of various products, such as scaffolds for regenerative medicine, artificial tissues and organs, electronics, components for the automotive industry, art objects and so on. This revolutionary technique showed unique capabilities for fabricating complex structures, with precisely controlled physical characteristics, facile tunable mechanical properties, biological functionality and easily customizable architecture. In this paper, we provide an overview of the main 3D-printing technologies currently employed in the case of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), two of the most important classes of thermoplastic aliphatic polyesters. Moreover, a short presentation of the main 3D-printing methods is briefly discussed. Both PLA and PHA, in the form of filaments or powder, proved to be suitable for the fabrication of artificial tissue or scaffolds for bone regeneration. The processability of PLA and PHB blends and composites fabricated through different 3D-printing techniques, their final characteristics and targeted applications in bioengineering are thoroughly reviewed.

Morpho-Structural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of PLA/PHB/Cellulose Biodegradable Nanocomposites Obtained by Compression Molding, Extrusion, and 3D Printing

“…PLA is available on the market at a similar price with that of common plastics like polypropylene [6]. Besides its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, renewability, and good mechanical strength, PLA has the important advantage of easy processability using common technologies for thermoplastic polymers (melt mixing, extrusion, and injection molding) or 3D printing [3,7,8].…”

“…3D printing technique was also used to manufacture PLA blends [8]. 3D printing is a novel technique that allows the rapid fabrication of a physical prototype from a virtual concept using a three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD).…”

Elastic Asymmetry of PLA Material in FDM-Printed Parts: Considerations Concerning Experimental Characterisation for Use in Numerical Simulations

“…PLA is the most researched and used aliphatic biodegradable polyester. It is a leading biomaterial for numerous applications in both medicine and industry, and the ability to adapt its properties for specific applications makes the market capacity of PLA products very broad, which has catalysed an extensive and growing amount of research aimed at the use of this material in innovative forms and applications [2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy: Topographic and Dynamical Surface Studies of Blends, Composites, and Hybrid Functional Materials for Sustainable Future

“…3D printing is a valuable alternative to traditional processing methods in the creation of various products, such as scaffolds for regenerative medicine, artificial tissues and organs, electronics, components for the transportation industry, art objects, etc. is technique has demonstrated exceptional capacities for producing complex structures with precisely tailored physical and mechanical properties, biological functionality, and an easily customisable architecture [32].…”