Poly(glycolic Acid) Fiber-Reinforced Bioabsorbable Composites with Improved Interfacial Properties
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-1993
Department
Polymers and High Performance Materials
Abstract
Bioabsorbable composites, designed for use as rigid tissue scaffolds, were fabricated by reinforcing free radically cured poly(D,L-lactide) fumarate matrices with absorbable poly(glycolic acid) fibers. To investigate the benefits of an improved fiber/matrix interphase, fiber pretreatments were employed including surface-etching- by exposure to mild acidic conditions and incorporation of 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane as a coupling agent. SEM of composite fracture surfaces showed that fiber pretreatment yielded improved wetting and encapsulation of the fibers by the matrix resin. The composites fabricated with poly(glycolic acid) fibers which were acid-etched and pretreated with the coupling agent showed an average 41% increase in tensile strength; a representative sample displayed an increase from 73.9 MPa to 105.5 MPa, compared to the composite made from untreated fibers.
Publication Title
Polymer Bulletin
Volume
31
Issue
3
First Page
331
Last Page
338
Recommended Citation
Storey, R. F.,
Shoemake, K. A.
(1993). Poly(glycolic Acid) Fiber-Reinforced Bioabsorbable Composites with Improved Interfacial Properties. Polymer Bulletin, 31(3), 331-338.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/6657