Hydroxyapatite/polymer composites for bone replacement

To improve the mechanical properties and the bioactivity of PolyacitveTM, hydroxyapatite particles were chosen as filler to reinforce the polymer. In making composites, the interface between hydroxyapatite particles and polymer plays an important role in determining the ultimate mechanical properties of the composites. Therefore, much effort has been devoted to the development of methods to improve the interface of HA and polymer in this study. Although silane coupling agents have been widely used in making various mineral/polymer composites, such as in dental restorative resin and bone replacement materials, their effect on the HA/polymer composites is still doubtfull. Therefore, two new methods to improve the interface between HA and PolyactiveTM were developed in this thesis