Mechanical and fracture behavior of a fiber-reinforced bioabsorbable material for orthopaedic applications

Tensile and fracture tests were conducted on thin panels of a fiber-reinfor ced bioabsorbable material. The composites were made of polycarbonate matri x and calcium phosphate fibers. Both matrix and fibers were bioabsorbable o rthopaedic biomaterials. The fibers were short and randomly distributed. Th e properties were compared for composites with and without a coating of met hane on the fibers. Composites with the methane coating had a higher elasti c modulus, a higher proportional limit, but a lower load at failure on pre- cracked panels. Electron microscopy showed that the coating resulted in a b etter bond between the matrix and the fiber. (C) 2000 Kluwer Academic Publi shers.