Dimensional accuracy of 3D printing navigation templates of chemical-based sterilisation

3D printed navigational templates have facilitated the accurate treatment of orthopaedic patients. However, during practical operation, it is found that the location hole occasionally deviates from the ideal channel. As such, there will be a security risk in clinical applications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of chemical-based sterilisation methods on the dimensional accuracy of different materials and the influence of module parameters on the degree of deformation. We found that polylactic (PLA) modules sterilised with ethylene oxide (EO) would undergo micro-deformation, and these micro-deformation characteristics depend on the building direction, i.e., the module stretches in the Z direction and shrinks in the X and Y directions. Heat-resisting polylactide (HR-PLA) has the same melting temperature (T(m)) as PLA, but its glass transition temperature (T(g)) is greater than the EO sterilisation temperature, so there is no obvious deformation after EO sterilisation. The layer height of the module were inversely proportional to the degree of deformation in the same sterilisation method. The deformation time of the module is concentrated within 2 h after heating. The micro-deformation of the 3D printing module depends on its T(g), sterilisation temperature, and duration of the sterilisation cycle.