Fused deposition modeling of poly(ether ether ketone) scaffolds

In this paper, poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) scaffold was manufactured using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology with a modified platform. The effect of processing parameters of FDM on the porosity and compressive strength of PEEK scaffold with uniform pores (0.8 mm of diameter) was optimized through Taguchi methodology. With the determined parameters, four kinds of PEEK scaffolds with gradient pores (0.4-0.8 mm, 0.6-1.0 mm, 0.8-1.2 mm, and 1.2-2.0 mm) were manufactured. The scaffolds were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the pores of scaffolds were interconnected with rough surface, which can allow the attachment, migration, and differentiation of cells for bone forming. The tensile strength, compressive max strength, and compressive yield strength of scaffolds were between 18 and 35 MPa, 197.83 and 370.42 MPa, and 26 and 36 MPa, respectively. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds can satisfy the loading requirements of human bones. Therefore, the PEEK scaffolds have a potential to be used in tissue engineering as implants.