DEVELOPMENT OF A DEGRADABLE COMPOSITE FOR ORTHOPEDIC USE - MECHANICALEVALUATION OF AN HYDROXYAPATITE POLYHYDROXYBUTYRATE COMPOSITE-MATERIAL

This study evaluates the mechanical properties of a composite material comprising polyhydroxybutyrate with hydroxyapatite added in proportio ns varying from 0 to 50%. Among the three methods of production, injec tion moulding was found to result in the most satisfactory mechanical properties. The tensile and compressive strength and the modulus of el asticity of composite produced in this way fell within the range for f resh human bone from different anatomical sites. With the additional a dvantages of biocompatability, biodegradability and the potential for piezoelectric stimulation of new local bone formation, it was conclude d that the injection-moulded composite material has considerable poten tial for use in orthopaedic surgery, both as a material to construct c ertain orthopaedic implants and as an alternative to cortico-cancellou s bone graft.