IN-VITRO DEGRADATION OF A POLY(PROPYLENE FUMARATE)-BASED COMPOSITE-MATERIAL

We investigated the in vitro degradation of a novel degradable polymer ic composite material being developed to function as a temporary repla cement for trabecular bone. This material is based on a mixture of pol y(propylene fumarate) cross-linked by N-vinyl pyrrolidone and includes sodium chloride and beta-tricalcium phosphate. Using an in vitro test in simulated body fluids, the compressive strengths and compressive m oduli of two composite materials increased with degradation time and r emained above the minimum values acceptable for trabecular bone substi tutes. A compressive strength of 21.3 (+/- 0.4) MPa and a compressive modulus of 696 (+/- 53) MPa were measured after twelve weeks for a com posite material with initial strength of 18.0 (+/- 4.6) MPa and initia l modulus of 113(+/- 40) MPa. This unexpected phenomenon may prove to be useful for orthopaedic applications. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limi ted