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Updated: Aug 16, 2025
Novel Process for 3D Printing Decellularized Matrices
Published on: January 7, 2019
Structural composite based on 3D printing polylactic acid/carbon fiber laminates (PLA/CFRC) as an alternative
Juan Antonio Paz-González1, Carlos Velasco-Santos2, Luis Jesús Villarreal-Gómez3
1Tecnológico Nacional de México, Campus Tijuana, Blvd. Alberto Limón Padilla S/N, Mesa de Otay, 22500, Tijuana, Mexico; Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingenieria y Tecnologia, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Blvd Universitario 1000, Unidad Valle de Las Palmas, 22260, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
Abstract:
In recent years, surgical procedures for hip prostheses have increased. These implants are manufactured with materials with high stiffness compared to the bone, causing bone loss or aseptic loosening. This research proposes an alternative structural composite consisting of 3D-printing polylactic acid layers and carbon fiber laminates (PLA/CFRC) with potential application in prosthetic implants. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) achieved to characterize starting materials and structural composites revealed secondary chemical interactions between the carbonyl group of PLA with the hydroxyl group of epoxy resin from CFRC. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results show both components (PLA and CFRC) influence the structural composite's thermal behavior, observed in the temperatures of degradation, glass transition, and melting. Furthermore, the composite reached cell viability above 80%, a tensile modulus of 19.29 ± 0.48 GPa and tensile strength of 238.91 ± 25.95 MPa, with mechanical properties very similar to the bone. The results of this study demonstrated that the proposed PLA/CFRC composite can be used as candidate base material for the manufacturing of a hip femoral stem prostheses.
