Materials Research Bulletin, Vol.44, No.2, 298-305, 2009
Bioactivity and mechanical properties of CaSiO3/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites prepared by a new surface loading method of CaSiO3 powder
CaSiO3/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites with flexibility and biocompatibility were prepared by a new surface loading method. CaSiO3 powder was synthesized by coprecipitation method with heating at 1300 degrees C for 2 h. The obtained alpha-CaSiO3 powder was sieved to 45-75 mu m (sample M) and 75-150 mu m (sample C). Fine powder sample (sample F) was prepared by grinding the powder being the average particle size of 2.9 mu m. These powders were sprinkled on the melted HDPE sheets heated at 160, 180 and 200 degrees C. The amounts of sprinkled powder were only <0.1 vol.% but the ratios of surface coverage area were >50% in all the samples. Apatite formation in simulated body fluid (SBF) was observed by soaking for 5 days in sample F while within 1 day in samples M and C. The sample M retained flexible properties of HDPE together with excellent biocompatible properties. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.