# Characterization of 3D-Printed Glass Fiber-Filled and Calcium Carbonate-Filled Polypropylene Components for Surgical Planning

## TL;DR

This study evaluates two 3D-printed materials for creating affordable surgical bone models and finds they are suitable despite some changes after sterilization.

## Contribution

The study introduces cost-effective 3D-printed materials for surgical models with clinical validation.

## Key findings

- Both materials can be sterilized but show increased dimensional error and porosity afterward.
- Slight changes in surface roughness and tensile strength were observed after sterilization.
- Anatomical models of mandible and femur bones were validated by surgeons for clinical use.

## Abstract

The purpose of this study is to characterize two different 3D-printed materials, glass fiber-filled polypropylene (GF-PP) and calcium carbonate-filled polypropylene (CaCO3-PP), which make it possible to obtain surgical bone models at a reasonable cost. The methodology involved selecting two filaments, among six, which showed better processability in the fused filament fabrication (FFF) process. Then, samples of the two selected materials were 3D printed, followed by characterization in terms of dimensional error, porosity, surface roughness, and mechanical strength. The results showed that both materials can be sterilized, with an increase in dimensional error and porosity after sterilization and slight changes in roughness and tensile strength. Additionally, anatomical models of mandible and femur bones were clinically validated by surgeons.