On Fused Filament Fabrication of Novel Tape Bandages as Phagocytosis Sensor: Effect of SiC Particle Size in PLA Matrix

In the past decade, several studies have been reported on fused filament fabrication (FFF) with polylactic acid (PLA) composite matrix for use as prostheses, implants, and passive sensors in biomedical applications. Also, some studies outlined that SiC reinforcement helps in the wound-healing process. But hitherto, little has been reported on the effect of SiC particle sizes (single particle size (SPS)/ dual particle size (DPS)/ triple particle size (TPS) of 30/40/60 µm in different wt%) as reinforcement in PLA matrix for fabrication of novel tape bandages for possible use as phagocytosis sensor. This study highlights the FFF of a novel tape bandage to be used as a phagocytosis sensor fabricated by reinforcement of SiC (30/40/60 µm (of different wt%) as SPS/DPS/TPS) in PLA matrix. The study suggests that 60 μm SPS − 10 (wt%) SiC reinforced in PLA matrix is the better solution for fabricating novel tape bandages as phagocytosis sensors mainly due to lower stiffness (47.76 N/mm). The results are supported by Fourier-transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).