Mechanical properties and biomedical application characteristics of degradable polylactic acid-Mg-Ca3(PO4)2 three-phase composite

Kuan-Jen Chen; Fei-Yi Hung; Yun-Ting Wang; Chen-Wei Yen

doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104949

Mechanical properties and biomedical application characteristics of degradable polylactic acid-Mg-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ three-phase composite

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2022 Jan:125:104949. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104949. Epub 2021 Oct 29.

Authors

Kuan-Jen Chen¹, Fei-Yi Hung², Yun-Ting Wang³, Chen-Wei Yen⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, 710, Taiwan. Electronic address: kjchen@stust.edu.tw.
² Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan. Electronic address: fyhung@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
³ Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan.
⁴ Ting Sin Co., Ltd., Tainan, 717, Taiwan.

PMID: 34736029
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104949

Abstract

Polylactic acid (PLA), pure magnesium powder, and calcium phosphate powder were used to form a three-phase degradable biomedical composite. The effects of various powder proportions in polylactic acid-Mg-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ composites were analyzed through mechanical and biological tests, which revealed that both the tensile and impact strength of the composite increased. Additionally, ductility presented only after a small proportion of powder was added. Hardness slightly increased because of dispersion strengthening. Furthermore, the addition of pure magnesium and calcium phosphate accelerated the degradation rate, and biocompatible salts were generated after degradation, which can improve healing and renewal in bone tissue. None of the composites exhibited cytotoxicity, meeting biological safety requirements. Overall, PLA10M10C (10 wt.% Mg, 10 wt.% Ca₃(PO₄)₂) exhibited superior performance. Accordingly, PLA10M10C can serve as a reference for degradable biomedical material applications in orthopedic implants.

Keywords: Biocompatibility; Calcium phosphate; Degradation characteristics; Magnesium; Mechanical properties; Polylactic acid.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Polyesters*

Substances

Polyesters
poly(lactide)