文摘
Biocompatible nano oxide ceramics (TiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2 and hydroxyapatite) were added for reinforcement of the biocompatible polymer (polyetherketone, polycaprolactone) matrix during a selective laser sintering (SLS) process of the porous tissue engineering scaffolds. The optimal regime comparison for laser sintering on CO2 and Nd+3:YAG lasers, strain estimation and an influence of post thermal annealing on mechanical characteristics were carried out. Results of a microstructural evaluation of the polymer-reinforced ceramic composites were conducted using the optical and scanning electron microscopy equipped with the energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis and evaluated with results of the X-ray analysis. The observations showed that after the successful laser sintering, the increase of the nano ceramic particle sizes could be achieved by one to two orders. The study confirms the medical perspectives of the SLS-fabricated 3D porous composites.