Flexural Properties of Hydroxyapatite Reinforced Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Composites

Abstract

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) filled with hydroxyapatite (HA) filler has been widely used in biomaterial application. Acrylic denture base material was prepared from PMMA filled with HA. This research work attempted to investigate the effects of hydroxyapatite (HA) on the flexural properties of poly(methyl methacrylate). PMMA powder was mixed with a monomer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) stabilized with hydroquinone. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were used as initiator and crosslinking agent, respectively. The PMMA/HA composites were prepared by using heat-processing polymers powder and liquid method. The flexural modulus of PMMA was increased by the addition of HA. This is attributed to the reinforcement effects of HA. However, the flexural strength and strain was decreased in the presence of HA. Experimental data of flexural modulus for PMMA/HA composites was compared with several theoretical models and equations. It was found that the experimental data could be relatively predicted by Hirsch's model.

Keywords

poly(methyl methacrylate)hydroxyapatite composites.

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