DEMINERALIZED BONE-MATRIX AS A TEMPLATE FOR MINERAL-ORGANIC COMPOSITES

Mineralizing biological tissues are complex bioceramic-biopolymer comp osites engineered for a variety of functions. The organic and inorgani c constituents, morphology, location, orientation, crystallinity and i nteractions exhibit materials of extremely fine microstructure, unique mechanical and physical properties with high strength and fracture to ughness compared to the individual constituents. An understanding of m ineralization, ultrastructural organization and interfacial bonding fo rces in mineralizing biological composite tissues, such as bone, may p rovide new strategies and techniques for the production of a novel cla ss of man-made organic-ceramic composites. The present study explores the use of the organic matrix remaining after removal of the mineral p hase by chelation with EDTA or solubilizing in HCl as a template for m ineral deposition and the production of mineral-organic composites. Di fferent pH conditions are employed to alter the inorganic phase which is deposited within the organic matrix. Mechanical testing and ultrast ructural evaluations are carried out for characterization.