Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Materials Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.
2
Department of Materials Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq
3
Dep. of Prosthetics and Orthotics Eng., College of Engineering, Kerbala University, Iraq
Abstract
A novel technique of very low-temperature sintering named the Cold sintering process to produce Highly dense samples of hydroxyapatite- polyetheretherketone composites. The direct mixing method is a powder-preparation method to fabricate a unique composite. This study aimed to determine the optimum cold sintering parameters in producing HA-PEEK composites using the Taguchi method. The sintering temperature, pressure, holding time, and PEEK content were selected as the production parameters. The samples are characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffractogram (XRD), and transition electron microscope (TEM). Also, physical and mechanical properties measurements were detected, include density, water contact angle, Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller(BET), hardness and indirect tensile strength (DTS). It can be observed that the optimum cold sintering parameters for high densities (99%) and hardness (502 Hv) are 300 °C, 250 bar, 30 minutes, and 10% PEEK content. Also, The tensile strength has been improved with the addition of PEEK. The results of the biological response indicate that apatite islands developed on the HA-PEEK composite after 14 days of immersion in SBF. Additionally, in vitro test, the HA-PEEK composite exhibited good pre-osteoblast cell (MC3T3-E1) adhesion, spreading, and proliferation. In summary, our study offers a strategy for creating high-performance ceramic-polymer composites using the cold sintering procedure, which makes a good candidate for application in orthopaedic and dental implants.
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