What materials are used in 3d printing for medical uses

High Performance 3d Printing Materials Used in Medical Industry

3d printing technology has gone beyond the decorative imagination, and now industries are leveraging it for solving complex problems. Among the most challenging industries, including automobile, aerospace and manufacturing; additive manufacturing has brought a drastic transformation in the medical domain. The medical science miracles done through 3d printing are not just life-saving but also leading a path towards better innovations.

From 3d printed prosthetics to the human body's internal parts and life-support equipment, this future-focused technology is acting as a catalyst. Coming to the most critical aspect of additive manufacturing— the filaments or printing materials; the options are massive. As engineers can develop custom material for satisfying a specific purpose, we will know more about core medical-friendly materials. 

3d print materials used in the medical industry:

Nylon PA-12

Nylon PA-12 is among the widely popular 3d printing additive materials used in the healthcare industry. This durable, lightweight material offers higher flexibility and chemical resistance, and it's easy to sterilize utilizing a steam autoclave. 

This fastest and cost-efficient medical-standard filament is compatible to print with Multi Jet Fusion printing and selective laser sintering. Nylon PA-12 is an ISO 10993 certified material, and it is used for manufacturing high-quality medical implants. Biocompatibility of this material makes it unique from other filaments, and it also brings in high abrasion resistance. 

Uses of Nylon PA-12 in the medical industry

• For preparing balloon of catheters for angioplasty

• As an adhesives and sealants

• For orthopedic implants including joint prostheses

• For manufacturing scaffolds for tendon and ligament repair

PC-ISO

PC-ISO filament is a bio-friendly FDM thermoplastic that lets manufacturers produce custom rapid prototype, moulds and prosthetics which are highly heat-resistant. This material is commonly used in the manufacturing of medical devices. This filament can be sterilized using the gamma radiation technology and EtO process. 

This filament sports more excellent heat-resistant properties that let engineers use it in highly-functional medical equipment. PC-ISO complies with ISO 10993 and ISO 18562 which denotes the biocompatibility of breathing devices. Along with preparing medical equipment, this is also a suitable material for drug packaging.

Uses of PC-ISO material:

• For manufacturing breathing tubes

• Complex parts manufacturing of ventilators

• High-grade resuscitator manufacturing

ABS M30i

This is one of the most used biocompatible 3D printing material which is suitable for manufacturing of medical equipment, and pharmaceutical packaging. With ABS M30i, engineers can efficiently manufacture medical devices, tools & fixtures, surgical planning models, and more. As the 3d printing costs with this material is also low, ABS M30i is used in a variety of options.

This filament sports higher strength and this material can be sterilized and a perfect choice for using it in medical devices. LIke PC-ISO, ABS M30i also fulfils the compatibility requirement of ISO 10993, USP Class VI and  ISO 18562. This material is best for preparing functional prototypes, end-use vital parts and form-fit tests using fused deposition modelling. 

Applications of ABS M30i material

• For manufacturing breathing gas pathways

• Suitable for ventilation tubing and hoses

• Medicine wrapping and packaging

Titanium

Titanium is a mainstream 3d printing material which is used in numerous industries, and it also offers multiple vital uses in the medical domain. It is a high-quality inert material and is immune to the body fluids that may cause material corrosion. Titanium is entirely bio-compatible material popularly used for its high-strength, corrosion resistance and low electronic conductivity.

Titanium is highly compatible with the body due to the formation of oxides on the surface of the material. This oxide shield is inert and its very minutely negative in change at the physiological pH. This property makes the ability of bone to joint with the implant is higher as the human cells also get attached to the material surface easily. This is a commonly used material that can be found on almost all 3d printing shops. 

Titanium material applications

• It is used to replace failed hard tissues.

• Manufacturing of hip joints, knee joints, and bone plates

• Production of cardiac valve prostheses

Cobalt Chrome

Cobalt chrome comes with high corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, and this material also sports additional hardness over titanium. Cobalt Chrome is used in additive manufacturing leveraging the direct metal laser melting technology. 

Engineers use cobalt chrome in manufacturing capable artificial joints that possess higher straight and wear resistance for a long time. With higher biocompatibility, this material tends to be resistant to corrosion. Co-Cr material helps in the reduction of complications associated with tissues around the implant. Along with this, it is also biocompatible with soft tissues and blood, and as its chemically inert, it minimizes allergic reaction and irritation possibilities.

Cobalt Chrome medical applications

• Production of robust artificial joints

• High wear-resistance hip implants

• Making dental or orthopaedic implants 

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel offers a wide range of 3d printing services in the medical industry due to its robust structural properties. This material does not offer similar long-term resistance to corrosion like cobalt chrome or titanium, but it's used in several surgical tools manufacturing.

It is a sterilizable, biocompatible and robust material used for temporary implants and surgical equipment. Stainless steel incurs lower production cost as compared to other metals during the direct material printing. A variety of stainless steel materials are used in additive manufacturing that offers different built properties.

Stainless steel properties

• Manufacturing of surgical equipment

• Complex body modification implants

• Production of implants like bone screws 

In 3d printing service, there is a wide range of materials available, and this technology also allows to create custom printing materials. The medical applications of additive manufacturing are comprehensive, accurate and safer as compared to others. With the capability to deliver high-quality products in a short turnaround makes this technology pivotal.

If you are into medical research work or searching for where to 3d print in Melbourne for your project, you will find a lot of hubs. As the demand is surging significantly, finding an excellent 3d printing company is not difficult any more. In the upcoming time, additive manufacturing is going to bring a drastic paradigm shift as we can already sense massive growth.