Tensile and fracture properties of titanium-polymer interpenetrating network composites

摘要

Titanium as an implant material has been in use since the late 1930s. Its excellent biotolerance is well documented. In order to promote osseo-integration, porous titanium coats have been used on implant surfaces [1,2]. However, porous titanium has weak fracture properties as fracture occurs in regions of high pore concentration [3]. Additionally, porous structures have corrosion problems [4] and are expensive. Bioceramics have become popular due to their excellent tribological properties. However, these materials have poor fracture properties also. They fail catastrophically due to defects arising from processing and servicing. Metal-polymer composites formed by impregnating polymer into porous sintered metals have been fabricated for structural purposes and bearing applications [5], This may well be an alternative route to the fabrication of fracture and wear resistant biomaterials. In addition, by using filled polymers such as bioactive ones (e.g. hydro-xyapatite), this manufacturing technique provides possibilities of the fabrication of new biomaterials with special osseogenetic properties without using expensive coating technology.