N. Galego et al., Characterization and application of poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoates) family ascomposite biomaterials, POLYM TEST, 19(5), 2000, pp. 485-492
Some polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and copolymers
poly(hydroxybutyrs co-hydroxyvalerate) (P(HB-co-HV)), were characterized by
different techniques (GPC, DSC, DMA, FT DRX) in order to be used in hydrox
yapatite (HA) composites. These polymers presented high molecu weights and
are semicrystalline materials. The crystallinity has a slight tendency to d
ecrease with increasing HV content in the copolymer, PHA/HA composites prep
ared at the same composition, show a lower elastic modulus than 0 and 8% HV
content. The composite P(HB-co-8%HV)/HA (30% w/w) 1 the highest modulus. I
n addition, this composite has a mechanical strength in compression of 62 M
which is about the same order of magnitude of several human bones and thus
it is interesting as biomater for use in fracture fixation, (C) 2000 Elsev
ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.