Relationships between size and mechanical properties of scaffold-like structures

Scaffolds are structures used for tissue engineering. Their size, shape and geometry are customized according to the patient pathology. A deep knowledge of their properties is essential for a correct design. This work aims at studying the size effect on scaffold-like structures manufactured by Fused Deposition Modeling, analyzing the relationship between the basic mechanical properties and the structure size. Compression tests of porous specimens, made of polylactide, with different heights have been done and, while the elastic modulus appears to be strongly affected by the size of the 3D specimens, the strength has shown to be intrinsic to the structure.