Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol.86, No.8, 1440-1442, 2003
Preparation of polymethylmethacrylate-reinforced functionally graded hydroxyapatite composites
A functionally graded hybridization approach has been used in the formation of polymer-ceramic composites of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and hydroxyapatite (HAp). HAp was successfully reinforced by sedimentary HAp distributions on a PMMA matrix using a centrifuge to avoid stress convergence on the interface. The stress-strain curves of the functionally graded PMMA-HAp composite showed sufficient mechanical strength with reduced brittleness. Scanning electron micrographs also showed evidence of exposed HAp on the surface of the composites.