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Mechanical Properties of Robocast Glass Scaffolds Assessed through Micro-CT-Based Finite Element Models
Luca D'Andrea1, Dario Gastaldi1, Enrica Verné2
1Laboratory of Biological Structure Mechanics (LaBS)-Politecnico di Milano, Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering Giulio Natta, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 23, 2022
Summary
This study used micro-CT based Finite Element Modeling (FEM) to analyze robocast glass scaffolds. Geometric defects like micro-porosity and fiber interruptions significantly impact mechanical properties and fracture behavior.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Computational Mechanics
Background:
- Robocast glass scaffolds are used in biomedical applications.
- Understanding their mechanical properties is crucial for performance.
- Manufacturing defects can significantly alter scaffold behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanical properties of robocast glass scaffolds.
- To explicitly account for geometrical defects using micro-CT based Finite Element Modeling (FEM).
- To correlate defect types with changes in elastic and strength properties.
Main Methods:
- Computed micro-Tomography (micro-CT) for defect identification.
- Finite Element Modeling (FEM) to simulate mechanical behavior.
- Compression loading simulations to observe crack patterns.
Main Results:
- Crack patterns under compression align with experimental findings.
- Micro-porosity acts as a stress concentrator, initiating fractures.
- Fiber length interruption and detachment substantially reduce scaffold properties, especially perpendicular to fiber layers.
Conclusions:
- Geometrical defects have a substantial effect on the mechanical properties of robocast glass scaffolds.
- Micro-porosity, fiber interruption, and detachment are critical defect types influencing scaffold integrity.
- FEM analysis provides valuable insights into defect-induced mechanical property variations.
