Freeform Extrusion Fabrication of Titanium Fiber Resuborced -93 Bioactive Glass Scaffolds

Although implants made with bioactive glass have shown promising results for bone repair, their application in repairing load-bearing long bone is limited due to their poor mechanical properties in comparison to human bone. This work investigates the freeform extrusion fabrication of bioactive silicate -93 glass scaffolds resuborced with titanium (Ti) fibers. A composite paste prepared with -93 glass and Ti fibers (~16 μm in diameter and lengths varying from~200 μm to~2 mm) was extruded through a nozzle to fabricate scaffolds (0–90⁰ filament orientation pattern) on a heated plate. The sintered scaffolds measured pore sizes ranging from 400 to 800 μm and a porosity of~50%. Scaffolds with 0.4 vol% Ti fibers measured fracture toughness of~0.8 MPa m1/2 and a flexural strength of~15 MPa. -93 glass scaffolds without Ti fibers had a toughness of~0.5 MPa m1/2 and a strength of~10 MPa. The addition of Ti fibers increased the fracture toughness of the scaffolds by~70% and flexural strength by~40%. The scaffolds\u27 biocompatibility and their degradation in mechanical properties in vitro were assessed by immersing the scaffolds in a simulated body fluid over a period of one to four weeks