Fabrication of Degradable Bone-Like Substitutes Based on Poly-L-lactide and β-tricalcium Phosphate

• Published in: Journal of macromolecular science. Physics Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 781 - 790
• Main Authors: Zou, Jianpeng, Zhou, Zhihua, Ruan, Jianming, Zhou, Zhongcheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 14.06.2010; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Applied sciences; artificial bone; Biological and medical sciences; composite materials; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; fabrication; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Medical sciences; poly-L-lactide; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology of polymers; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; β-tricalcium phosphate; Mixing; β-tricalcium phosphate; poly-L-lactide; Optically active polymer; Dispersion degree; artificial bone; fabrication; Mechanical properties; Calcium phosphate; Experimental study; Composite material; Hot pressing; Lactic acid polymer; Morphology; Concentration effect; Biomaterial; Manufacturing; Bone; Fracture mode; Growth from solution; composite materials
• ISSN: 0022-2348; 1525-609X
• DOI: 10.1080/00222341003598422

Composite bone-like substitutes composed of poly-L-lactide (PLLA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) (average particle size: 4.43 μm) were fabricated and the properties were investigated. β-TCP was prepared by wet chemical precipitation, followed by calcining at 800°C. Composite films were obtained by completely mixing dissolved PLLA with granules of β-TCP; the agglomerated β-TCP powder granules were distributed homogeneously in the PLLA matrix. PLLA/β-TCP composite materials were obtained by cold and hot pressing the composite film at a pressure of 130 MPa and temperature of 185°C-195°C. With increase of the amount of β-TCP powder, the bending strength of the composites decreased while the bending modulus increased. The fracture mechanism of the composites was significantly influenced by the content of β-TCP powder, from ductile fracture to brittle fracture as the β-TCP powder content increased.