Construction of hydroxyapatite bioceramics with biomimetic structures by weak magnetic field-assisted 3D printing
Source abstract
Abstract
Hydroxyapatite (HA) bioceramics have limited use in load-bearing implants due to their poor mechanical properties. Inspired by the oriented and Bouligand structures in natural organisms with remarkable strength and toughness, this study aims to construct biomimetic HA bioceramics with fine microstructures at nanoscale and microscale to enhance the mechanical properties. An innovative magnetic field-assisted 3D printer was developed to create oriented and Bouligand structural HA ceramics under weak magnetic field strengths (58 mT - 116 mT). The oriented HA bioceramics demonstrate a compressive strength of 93.4 MPa along the printing direction, which is 2.3 times that of non-oriented HA ceramics. The bending strength in the thickness direction is 2.6 times that of non-oriented HA bioceramics, whereas the fracture toughness reaches 17.3 MPa·m1/2, 1.44 times that of non-oriented counterparts. The presence of HA grains hinders crack propagation along the thickness direction, thereby enhancing fracture toughness. Additionally, compressive strength, bending strength, and fracture toughness of the Bouligand structural HA bioceramics are 2.6 times, 2.8 times, and 1.2 times, respectively, those of non-oriented HA bioceramics, with observed pseudoplastic deformation during compression. The Bouligand structural HA bioceramics achieve a combination of excellent strength and toughness comparable to that of cortical bone. This research establishes the magnetic field-assisted 3D printer as an effective method for balancing strength and toughness in brittle ceramics. Additionally, it lays a foundation for the 3D printing of biomimetic materials with fine microstructure and tunable mechanical properties.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Bone Tissue Engineering Materials · Calcium Carbonate Crystallization and Inhibition · Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
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