pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S06 - Biomedical Polymers
Poster Presentation
 
 

Rheological and Thermal Characterization of PLA/HA composites

Backes Eduardo Henrique (1)*, Pires Lais de Nobile (1), Costa Lidiane Cristina (1), Passador Fabio Roberto (2), Pessan Luiz Antonio (1)

(1) UFSCAR - Sao Carlos Sao Paulo - Brazil, (2) UNIFESP - Sao Jose dos Campos Sao Paulo - Brazil

Poly (lactic acid), PLA, is a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer with good mechanical properties and obtained from renewable sources for biomedical applications stands out [1]. Due to these characteristics, PLA has been widely used in medical applications such as yarn for intradermal suture, devices for fracture recovery, controlled drug release, guided tissue regeneration, facial filling, and scaffolds for cell culture [2]. The hydroxyapatite (HA) is a mineral with characteristics of osteoconduction, that is, hydroxyapatite implants support the growth and bone formation inside, but, however, this is not osteoinductive. HA is able to establish chemical bonds with bone tissue, allowing the proliferation of fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and other bone cells. Due to its chemical similarities with the mineral part of the bones, hydroxyapatite is a widely used biomaterial as coatings in orthopedic and dental implants [3-5]. The development of PLA/HA composites has emerged as one way to improve PLA bioactivity, its mechanical properties and make it suitable for biomedical applications. PLA/HA composites, with different contents of HA, will be prepared via torque rheometer and thermal and rheological properties of PLA/HA composites were evaluated. The addition of small amount of HA, 5 % wt didn't lead to significant change in the rheological behavior, however, the addition of 10 % wt reduce the viscosity of the composite at low shear strain. The composites with 25% wt of HA presented power law behavior and the viscosity decrease as the shear strain increased. Regarding thermal properties, the addition of HA in the PLA didn't lead to any change in the glass transition. Summarily, PLA/HA composites were successfully produced and they have great potential for biomedical applications.