Advances in the Processing of UHMWPE-TiO2 to Manufacture Medical Prostheses via SPIF

This research focuses on developing a novel ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) material reinforced with titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles for producing craniofacial prostheses via an incremental sheet forming process (SPIF). First, UHMWPE-TiO 2 nanocomposite sheets were produced using incipient wetting and the compression molding process by considering different concentrations of TiO 2 nanoparticles. Then, the influence that the compression molding fabrication process has on the crystallinity and structural properties of the produced sample sheets was investigated. Experimental characterizations via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), tensile mechanical testing, and live/dead cell viability assays provided data that show an enhancement of the physical, mechanical, and biological properties. Finally, modifications on the nanocomposite material properties due to the SPIF manufacturing processes of a craniofacial prosthesis are addressed.

Application of Incremental Sheet Forming

This paper describes some manufacturing aspects and an example of application of the Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF) technology which was used for production of the craniofacial prosthesis. The brief description of prosthesis designing was presented as well. The main topic of the paper is comparison of milling and ISF technologies for preparing the tools for prosthesis thermoforming.