Polylactide-based composite materials for 3D printing and medical applications - the effect of basalt and silicon dioxide addition

Polymers are compounds that play a key role in the development of many fields of science, including emergency medicine. Currently, there are increasing requirements for biomedical polymers in terms of producing lighter and more ecological equipment. To meet these requirements, a composite material was developed: polylactide (PLA) with the addition of modifiers - basalt and silicon dioxide (SiO2). PLA was chosen as a biodegradable polymer that naturally decomposes in the environment. This is very important, regarding a large number of single-use materials made of microplastics polluting the environment. The samples were made by additive 3D printing and then immersed in swimming pool water, chlorine solution, and distilled water. FTIR analysis showed the influence of the environment on the intensity and shift of PLA absorption bands. Microscopic analysis provided information on surface morphology, roughness, and potential defects. Tribological and micromechanical tests showed that the additions of basalt and silica to the PLA material influenced the morphological structure and the average area of the wear trace, volumetric wear, and average coefficient of friction. In the presence of chlorine solution, distilled water, and pool water under real conditions, the SiO2 addition made the PLA material more resistant to abrasion, as compared to the basalt addition. However, additives did not significantly affect the PLA material hardness, and the samples with basalt turned out to be more resistant to deformation.