Introductory Remarks

3D printing is an innovative technology which has matured substantially over the last decade, evolving from a hobbyist niche into a real industrial tool. The greatest advantages of 3D printing with the fused deposition modeling (FDM) method include its low start-up cost, minimal footprint, rapid turnaround time, customizability and design control. These aspects make this technology extremely well suited for biomedical applications, where there is no “one size fits all” solution, as patients require highly individualized treatment and care. Using 3D printing, biomedical devices can be produced on a custom basis for individual patients. This research investigates the FDM processing of polyamide 11 (PA11), a flexible and durable polymer which can be made with 100% bio-based resources. PA11 has been used successfully in selective laser sintering (SLS), but has not been applied in FDM at this point. In this project, models were successfully prepared using FDM printing of a biocompatible (UPS Class VI certified) PA11. Printable filaments were prepared using a Leistritz twin screw extruder. In order to improve the suitability for printing and processability into filaments, different chain extension and reactive blending strategies were employed. In order to improve thermomechanical behaviour, the production of PA11 biocomposite filaments were also investigated.

Acknowledgements:

This research is financially supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), University of Guelph, Bioeconomy Industrial Uses Research Program Theme Project #030252; and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Canada Discovery Grants Project #400320.