Design, fabrication, mechanical, and in vitro evaluation of 3D printed ZrO2 reinforced polylactide scaffolds through fused deposition modeling

The design and fabrication of 3D-printed polylactide/ZrO2 composites through fused deposition modelling (FDM) based approach is illustrated in the present study. ZrO2 synthesized through the sol–gel technique and the commercially procured polylactide (PLA) were used as the source for the extrusion of composite filaments, followed by their 3D printing through FDM methodology. The results from the investigation ensured a maximum of 20 wt% ZrO2 loading in PLA matrix for a facile and smooth extrusion of filaments and their subsequent defect-free 3D printing of desired shape and geometry. The structural analysis of the 3D printed specimens revealed the phase stability of PLA and ZrO2 in composites and the morphological studies ensured the uniform dispersion of ZrO2 particles throughout the PLA matrix. Moreover, the pattern of infill thickness in the 3D-printed specimen is determined as 400 μm, which implied better consistency with the 0.4 mm dimension sized printer nozzle utilized for printing. A gradual reduction in the mechanical strength of PLA/ZrO2 composite as a function of enhanced ZrO2 content is deliberated. The results from in vitro tests revealed the negligible cytotoxicity displayed by the 3D-printed PLA/ZrO2 composite specimens.