Preparation and characterization of polyamide 12 composites for craniofacial reconstruction utilizing additive manufacturing

This study was carried out to prepare and characterize polyamide 12 composites as potential biomaterial for craniofacial reconstruction utilizing additive manufacturing. Polyamide 12 was compounded with ceramic fillers of β-TCP (ranged from 5 to 25 wt%) and zirconia (fixed at 15 wt%) via twin screw extruder. Obtained pellets were used to characterize the thermal properties, melt flow rate and chemical bonding of the composites. The remaining pellets were used to prepare tensile, flexural and impact specimens via injection molding and 3D printing. The mechanical and topological properties of prepared specimens were evaluated and analyzed using statistical analysis of One-Way ANOVA with significant level of p=0.05. The melt flow rate of the polyamide 12 composites were significantly difference as compared to pure polyamide (p