Impact of print orientation on wear behavior in FDM printed PLA Biomaterial: Study for hip-joint implant

OBRABOTKAMETALLOV TECHNOLOGY Vol. 26 No. 4 2024 manufacturing process, has found wide application in the engineering domain, especially for the design of complex components and on-demand printing [2]. However, this technology has not yet proven itself in the medical domain due to many limitations such as availability of 3D printing biomaterials, printing orientations, regulatory approval, long-term reliability and the use of printed products in the patient’s body in real time etc., so researchers have focused on the use of 3D printing process for medical domain [1]. The hip-joint, and therefore the hip implant, is one of the most critical joints in the human body compared to any other joint. Despite signifi cant progress in the development of hip implants using various biomaterials including metal, ceramic and polymers, there is still much room for research and development of customized hip implants, even though biomaterials and hip replacement techniques have come a long way over the past few centuries. The hip joint connects the femoral bone to the pelvis, supporting the entire weight of the human body. The hip joint is one of the most important joints supporting the human body. The natural location of the acetabulum is a cup-shaped cavity into which the smooth spherical head of the femur fi ts precisely and subsequently slides. Strong ligaments surround the entire joint, providing stability. Innovations in design and materials over the last 50 years have signifi cantly reduced the actual wear rate of the most popular implants, which in turn allows us to signifi cantly reduce the risks associated with widespread dissemination of debris throughout the human body. Biomaterials such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and others are commonly used in medicine for implant manufacture in a traditional way and are well proven [3–4]. Lewis [5] studied the properties of crosslinked ultra-highmolecular-weight polyethylene. Wang et al. found that the lubricity and wear properties of polyethylene in total joint replacement are improved [6]. Yousuf and Mohsin [7] studied the increase in the wear rate of high-density HDPE by adding ceramic particles. However, implanted polyethylene acetabular cups generate debris, which is reacted to by the body’s immune system [8]. To improve the mechanical and tribological characteristics of the HDPE matrix, nanocomposites including graphene, TiO2 nanoparticles and hybrid nanofi llers were added to it, which ultimately led to an increase in service life and a decrease in wear rate [9]. Zhang et al. [10] observed the use of PEEK as an alternative to CoCrMo in the femoral component of a total knee replacement. Hip fractures in the elderly are dangerous injuries that result in increased morbidity and mortality, disability, and signifi cant demand on medical resources. There is insuffi cient high-quality evidence to support the surgical strategy of hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of hip fractures [11]. Present study includes the PLA material for 3D printing of biomedical implants. Very few studies have reported data on PLA material used in hip implants. According to Tol et al. [11], a randomized clinical trial of 555 patients and an experiment of nature of 288 patients showed no diff erence in quality of life at six months post-injury between surgical interventions. Compared to DLA, PLA was associated with signifi cantly higher rates of reoperations and dislocations. In 2020, Obinna et al., [12] studied the 3D printing for hip implants. Bhagia S. et al. [13] reviewed the PLA biocomposites containing biomass resources and characterized it as biodegradable, recyclable, and off ering potential for biomass-derived fuel, electricity, heat and chemicals process and FDM printing. For FDM technology, Prashant Anerao [14] conducted a parametric study on the mechanical properties of biochar-reinforced PLA composite. A comparative study and analysis of hearing aid housings printed from diff erent biomaterials was conducted [15]. Using ANSYS explicit workbench, a comparative study of various polymer materials was conducted at fi ve diff erent drop impact test velocities. According to the study, TPU deformed to a maximum at all velocities, more than PLA or ABS [15]. Dama et al. [16] pointed out the suitability of the additive manufacturing process for reproducing design features. However, these materials are not suitable for 3D printing in a format that is accessible for conventional manufacturing processes. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing, also called fused fi lament fabrication (FFF), is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique. Molten material is selectively applied along a predetermined route to build parts layer by layer. Thermoplastic polymers in the form of fi laments are used to create the fi nal physical products. Daly et al. conducted a parametric study and observed the eff ects of several 3D printing factors including

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