Effect of autoclaving on the dimensional stability and surface characteristics of 3D printed PVDF composite-based implants

In the past decade, a lot of work has been reported on the use of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) based thermoplastic composites as energy storage devices, and implant materials. But hitherto little has been reported on the dimensional stability and surface characteristics of 3D-printed PVDF composites after autoclaving for implant applications. In this study, the effect of autoclaving on surface characteristics (Shore-D hardness, surface roughness (Ra), morphological characteristics), and dimensional stability of 3D printed PVDF-hydroxyapatite (HAp)- chitosan (CS) composite has been reported for implant applications. The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio approach was used to ascertain the best setting of process parameters for 3D printing by fused filament fabrication (FFF) process. This study suggests that the best setting for the FFF process, for the 3D printing of PVDF composite (90%PVDF-8%HAp-2%CS) are the nozzle temperature (NT) of 225°C, raster angle (RA) 0°, and printing speed (PS) 40 mm/s, resulting in Shore-D hardness 48.5 HD (before autoclaving) and 55.0 HD (after autoclaving), dimensional deviation 0.01 mm (after autoclaving). The results are supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis.