Alumina ceramics-bioresorbable polymer composites obtained by infiltration method
Agata Domańska, Anna Boczkowska, Zbigniew Jaegermann, Krzysztof Biesiada, Krzysztof J. Kurzydłowski 1, 2, 4, 5 Politechnika Warszawska, Wydział Inżynierii Materiałowej, ul. Wołoska 141, 02-507 Warszawa, Poland 3 Instytut Szkła, Ceramiki, Materiałów Ogniotrwałych i Budowlanych, Zakład Bioceramiki, ul. Postępu 9, 02-676 Warszawa, Poland
Quarterly No. 3, 2008 pages 252-257
DOI:
keywords: ceramic-polymer biocomposites, infiltration, compressive strength, bioresorbable polymer, crystalline prepolymers, porous alumina ceramic
abstract During the past two decades significant advances have been made in the development of materials for biomedical applications. Deragadable polymeric biomaterials are preferred candidates for developing therapeutic devices such as temporary prostheses, three-dimensional porous structures as scaffolds for tissue engineering and as controlled/sustained release drug delivery vehicles. The paper presents the results of studies on alumina ceramics-bioresorbable polymer composites. The idea of biocomposite is that the polymer degrades and in the empty space tissue will grow. The biocomposites were obtained by infiltration of porous ceramics with prepolymers, solidified in the final stage due to crystallization. The prepolymer was crystalized at various temperatures, and subsequently chain-extended with water. Such composites have higher compressive strength in comparison to porous ceramics itself (over 6x) and to composites obtained with the application of polyurethanes in which ethylene glycol was used as chain extender. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the composites microstructure and to determine whether or not the pores were fully filled with polymer. Compressive strength of porous alumina ceramics, of poly(-caprolactono)diol polyurethanes obtained from crystalline prepolymers extended by water and of the composites fabricated by infiltration method was tested. The results showed that pores of ceramics were fully filled with polyurethanes. The obtained alumina ceramics-bioresorbable polymer composites also exhibit higher resistance for compressive stresses. Researched composites give new perspectives for medical applications, because it assembles with biocompatible components and have higher compressive strength and fracture toughness in comparison with porous ceramic.