Investigating the Temporal Stability of 3D-Printed PLA Samples under Ambient Storage Conditions
CT Attenuation Stability in 3D Printed Materials
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63187/ampas.31Keywords:
3D Printing, Phantom, Stability, computed tomographyAbstract
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the longitudinal radiological stability of 3D-printed PLA-based materials under ambient storage conditions, with varying infill densities and flow rates, in order to understand the impact of these factors on their use in medical imaging and radiation therapy.
Methodology: Twenty-five cylindrical samples were 3D printed using three PLA-based filaments (Lightweight PLA, Premium PLA, and StoneFil), with varying infill densities and flow rates. The samples were stored in ambient room conditions, and their radiological properties were measured over a 6-month period using CT scans. Hounsfield Unit (HU) values were analyzed using a leave-one-out approach and linear regression analysis to assess temporal stability and the relationship between printing parameters and HU values.
Findings: The results demonstrated minimal variations in HU values, with most measurements falling within the limits of agreement, indicating stable radiological properties across all filament types. A strong linear correlation was observed between printing parameters and HU values (R² > 0.99).
Conclusion: The study confirms the stability of 3D-printed PLA-based materials in typical environmental conditions over a 6-month period. These findings support the use of 3D-printed phantoms in medical applications, although further research is needed to explore the effects of UV exposure, higher levels of humidity, and other environmental factors on long-term material stability.
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Copyright (c) 2025 ismail Özsoykal, Ayşegül Yurt, Mustafa Alper Selver
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