Stereolithography Printing and Mechanical Properties of Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate/Hexagonal Boron Nitride Ceramic Composites

Abstract

To enhance the mechanical properties of bioceramic composite bone scaffolds, a composite paste of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) with a solid content of up to 42 wt% was developed in this study. The part was produced using stereolithography (SLA). The SLA printing parameters and material ratios of the paste were optimized through a homogeneous design and mechanical property tests. The results indicate that the single-line curing width of the PEGDA/h-BN paste in the XY plane ranged from 172 to 209 μm, while the curing depth of a single layer along the Z-axis ranged from 99 to 154 μm. Laser power was identified as the primary factor influencing both the width and depth of curing. The compressive strength of the printed sample of PEGDA/h-BN ceramic composite paste was measured at 222.4 ± 5.6 MPa, which is 61 times greater than the compressive strength of a pure PEGDA structure and comparable to that of cortical bone (100-230 MPa). Finally, the superior biocompatibility of PEGDA/h-BN ceramics was confirmed through cytotoxicity experiments. Consequently, PEGDA/h-BN ceramic composites meet the mechanical properties and biocompatibility requirements necessary for bone tissue applications, indicating promising potential in the field of bone tissue engineering.