Calcium Polyphosphate/Polyvinyl Acid-Carbonate Copolymer Based Composites for Use in Biodegradable Load-Bearing Composites for Orthopaedic Implant Fabrication

摘要

Particle filled composite and interpetrating phase composite (IPC) structures are investigated for the production of a biodegradable composite for use as a fixation device in various osteosynthesis applications. The composites consist of calcium polyphosphate, present as either a dispersion of 106 - 150 μm particles or as a sintered scaffold-like structure having open porosity in the range of 18 - 35 volume percent, and a polyvinyl acid-carbonate copolymer that is cured in situ via free radical polymerization. The performance of each composite structure is evaluated in terms of its three-point bend strength and elastic constant. Plane strain fracture toughness values are also presented for IPC samples based on CPP sintered to have 30 volume percent porosity.