Quantitative SEM and ImageJ Analysis of 3D Printed Polycaprolactone Surface Roughness for Coronary Stent Applications

Authors

  • Kuang Yee Ng Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering & Technology, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8679-4360
  • Noorhafiza Muhammad Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Geopolymer and Green Technology, Centre of Excellence Geopolymer and Green Technology, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2948-4454
  • Mohd Shuhidan Saleh Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering & Technology, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7284-7910
  • Siti Noor Fazliah Mohd Noor Universiti Sains Malaysia, Dental Stimulation and Virtual Learning, Research Excellence Consortium, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, 13200 Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9200-265X
  • Shayfull Zamree Abd. Rahim Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Geopolymer and Green Technology, Centre of Excellence Geopolymer and Green Technology, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1458-9157
  • Nur Amalina Muhammad Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, School of Mechanical Engineering, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3156-2930
  • Kamalakanta Muduli Papua New Guinea University of Technology, Mechanical Engineering Department, Lae, Morobe Province, PMB 411, Papua New Guinea https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4245-9149
  • S. Garus Czestochowa University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Mechanics and Fundamentals of Machinery Design, 73 Dąbrowskiego Str., 42-201 Częstochowa, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6649-5435

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24425/amm.2025.156244

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of mortality, driving advancements in bioresorbable stents (BRS). While 3D printing enables precise fabrication of such stents, surface roughness remains a critical factor influencing biocompatibility and vascular healing. This study investigates the effects of layer height, nozzle temperature, printing speed and flow rate on the surface roughness of 3D-printed polycaprolactone (PCL) BRS. A novel aspect of this work lies in the application of the ImageJ SurfCharJ plugin to quantify roughness metrics (Ra and Rq) from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, which is an approach rarely explored in polymer-based stent research. Statistical analyses using t-tests and ANOVA identified layer height and nozzle temperature as the most significant factors, with 0.2 mm layer height and lower nozzle temperatures yielding relatively smoother surfaces. These findings contribute to the optimisation of FDM printing parameters for enhanced surface quality in PCL-based BRS and support the broader adoption of image-based roughness quantification in biomedical additive manufacturing.

Published

2025-12-22

How to Cite

Ng, Kuang Yee, et al. “Quantitative SEM and ImageJ Analysis of 3D Printed Polycaprolactone Surface Roughness for Coronary Stent Applications”. Archives of Metallurgy and Materials, vol. 70, no. 4, Dec. 2025, doi:10.24425/amm.2025.156244.

Issue

Vol. 70 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Articles