Ceramics-Silikáty 52 (4) 260-267 (2008)

EFFECT OF NANO/MICRO PARTICLES OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATES ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITES BASED ON POLYSILOXANE MATRIX REINFORCED BY POLYAMIDE

K. Balík, T. Suchý, Z. Sucharda, M. Černý, L. Bačáková, M. Sochor, M. Šlouf

Composite materials based on a polyamide fabric and a polysiloxane matrix were designed for application in bone surgery. In order to increase the bioactivity, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 vol. % of nano/micro hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) were added. The effect of the additives on the mechanical properties was studied. Simultaneously, changes in the inner structure of the composites were investigated by means of image analysis. It appears that in comparison with the micro particles, the nano additives have a more favourable effect on mechanical properties. From the point of view of the final application of the composites as substitutes for hard tissues, 10-15 vol. % of nano additives is an optimum amount: in this case both the optimization of the toughness and the increase in the ultimate strength in bending occur without any changes in the inner structure of the composite.

Keywords: Aramid Fibers, Polymer-Matrix Composites (PMCs), Mechanical Properties, Matrix Modifications, Hydroxyapatite, Tricalcium Phosphate