Influence of infill patterns on mechanical properties of 3D printed ceramics AlÔééOÔéâ via fused deposition modelling for biomedical applications.

Porous alumina stands as a good candidate for synthetic bone tissue scaffold material or porous ceramic prosthetic devices due to its good physical and mechanical properties compared to other engineering ceramics. This is because of load bearing capabilities of alumina while preserving its significant porosity level which is a crucial factor for various biomedical applications. However, manufacturing near net shapes of ceramics with tailored porosity through conventional processing is challenging. Thus, additive manufacturing routes like fused deposition modelling (FDM) could support in manufacturing such complex designs and shapes. In this research, Al2OPorous alumina stands as a good candidate for synthetic bone tissue scaffold material or porous ceramic prosthetic devices due to its good physical and mechanical properties compared to other engineering ceramics. This is because of load bearing capabilities of alumina while preserving its significant porosity level which is a crucial factor for various biomedical applications. However, manufacturing near net shapes of ceramics with tailored porosity through conventional processing is challenging. Thus, additive manufacturing routes like fused deposition modelling (FDM) could support in manufacturing such complex designs and shapes. In this research, AlÔééOÔéâ ceramics pellets were designed and manufactured via FDM with different infill structures i.e., circular, linear, grid and hexagonal to understand its hardness and fracture toughness. The 3D printed samples showcased a relative density of ~95% whereas cold isostatic pressed (CIP) alumina showcased only 87.5%. Also, indentation fracture toughness of hexagonal alumina (4.49 ± 0.05 MPa.m0.5) which was ~40% higher than alumina (3.16 ± 0.08 MPa.m0.5) prepared via CIP. ceramics pellets were designed and manufactured via FDM with different infill structures i.e., circular, linear, grid and hexagonal to understand its hardness and fracture toughness. The 3D printed samples showcased a relative density of ~95% whereas cold isostatic pressed (CIP) alumina showcased only 87.5%. Also, indentation fracture toughness of hexagonal alumina (4.49 ± 0.05 MPa.m0.5) which was ~40% higher than alumina (3.16 ± 0.08 MPa.m0.5) prepared via CIP.