Calcium hydroxyapatite (HAp) and poly-L-lactide (PLLA) were synthesized che
mically. The obtained HAp was of high purity and, after special thermal tre
atment, of high crystallinity as well. Synthesis of PLLA was performed usin
g L-lactide as a monomer and nontoxic initiator. In this way a polymer of l
arge molar weight (about 400 000) was obtained. The HAp and PLLA obtained w
ere used as constituents of the HAp/PLLA composite biomaterial, a potential
material for implants. The composite was obtained by mixing completely dis
solved PLLA with granules of HAp. The composite was compacted by cold and h
ot pressing at pressures of 49.0-490.5 MPa and temperatures of 20-184 degre
es C. The material obtained at optimum process parameters had a density of
99.6% and compressive strength of 93.2 MPa. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd.
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