Mechanical evaluation of 3d-printed scaffolds: a 3^3 full-factorial analysis of geometrical parameters

In a full-factorial experiment, the effect of height, porosity and pore size at three levels on the structural stiffness of 3D-printed, polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds was investigated. The porosity and structural properties of the scaffolds were measured. The principal finding was that all three factors affected the structural stiffness of the scaffolds in a manner that was not expected.