Additive manufacturing (AM) processes are nowadays well introduced in different segments: medical, aeronautics, packaging, industrial, electronics, optical,…

An important application for 3D printing is the manufacture of prostheses, which usually have complex shapes with porous structures.

The main aim in the present work is 3D printing and characterizing Zirconia-filled Polylactic Acid (PLA) specimens, using the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technology. Cylindrical samples were defined in this size: diameter 7,62 mm x 15,24 mm height, according to ASTM C1424 - 15 Standard for ceramics. Six replicates were obtained for this experiment.
After 3D printing and sintering, the specimens were characterized regarding surface roughness, dimensional error and total porosity. 

The dimensions of the samples were measured before and after the sintering operation. The shrinkage percentage was calculated in width and in height. Surface roughness Ra was measured at the lateral walls of the FFF printed parts, and total porosity was determined by means of weight measurement.

The results showed reduction percentages values after sintering below 22%. Porosity after sintering was close to the target value of 20%. After sintering, Ra parameter was below 13 µm and dimensional error was below 8 %.  ?