Effect of Architecture and Porosity on Mechanical Properties of Borate Glass Scaffolds Made by Selective Laser Sintering

Abstract

The porosity and architecture of bone scaffolds, intended for use in bone repair or replacement, are two of the most important parameters in the field of bone tissue engineering. The two parameters not only affect the mechanical properties of the scaffolds but also aid in determining the amount of bone regeneration after implantation. Scaffolds with five different architectures and four porosity levels were fabricated using borate bioactive glass (13–93B3) using the selective laser sintering (SLS) process. The pore size of the scaffolds varied from 400 to 1300 µm. The compressive strength of the scaffolds varied from 1.7 to 15.5 MPa for porosities ranging from 60 to 30%, respectively, for the different architectures. Scaffolds were soaked in a simulated body fluid (SBF) for one week to measure the variation in mechanical properties. The formation of the Hydroxyapatite and in-vitro results are provided and discussed.