Characterizing the mechanical properties of poly-(DTE carbonate) scaffold from the finite element simulation of its microtopology

The mechanical properties of poly (DTE carbonate) scaffold are characterized with experimental, numerical, and theoretical tools. These properties are further related to the physical properties of the solid substrate and the micro-topology of the pores. The experimental characterization, along with the simulation using the deterministic finite element method, are achieved. Cellular solid theory was used to model the microstructure of the poly(DTE carbonate) scaffold which has two levels of pores. To understand the structure-properties relationships of the scaffold, the experimental measurements and FEM analysis of enlarged scaffold models made by fused deposition method are conducted. We found good agreement between predicted and experimental values of mechanical properties of FDM scaffolds. It is possible to predict mechanical properties of tissue engineering scaffolds from known architecture and material properties.