The orthotropic viscoelastic characterisation of sub-zero 3D-printed poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel.

ABSTRACT:

Abstract

Poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel (PVA) is a versatile biomaterial used to replicate the biomechanics of tissues. Additive manufacture (AM) at sub-zero (°C) temperatures enables the manufacture of PVA with complex geometry; however, the effect of processing parameters on the mechanical properties of PVA has not been evaluated. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of print nozzle diameter and orientation on the viscoelastic mechanical properties of PVA. Samples of sub-zero AM PVA, with different filament thicknesses, were tested under tension relative to the print direction, to calculate the storage and loss moduli. As the nozzle size was decreased, AM PVA exhibited more pronounced orthotropic properties; the smallest size showed a 33% decrease in storage moduli when

SUBMITTER: Crolla JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8550303 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature