A potential material for tissue engineering: Silkworm silk/PLA biocomposite

• Published in: Composites. Part B, Engineering Vol. 39; no. 6; pp. 1026 - 1033
• Main Authors: Cheung, Hoi-Yan, Lau, Kin-Tak, Tao, Xiao-Ming, Hui, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; B. Mechanical properties; Biocomposites; Biological and medical sciences; Bombyx mori; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Medical sciences; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology of polymers; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; Biocomposites; B. Mechanical properties; Strengthening; Short fiber; Tissue engineering; Fiber reinforced material; Mechanical properties; Tensile property; Experimental study; Lactone polymer; Microhardness; Composite material; Thermal stability; Thermal properties; Lactic acid polymer; Silk; Natural fiber; Aliphatic polymer; Concentration effect; Animal fiber; Surface properties; Biomaterial

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a kind of well recognized biodegradable polymer, was reinforced by silkworm silk fibers to form a completely biodegradable and biocompatible biocomposite for tissue engineering applications. The influence on the mechanical and thermal properties of the biocomposite in relati...