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Biodegradable Polymer Composites for Temporary Replacement of Trabecular Bone: The Effect of Polymer Molecular Weight on Composite Strength and Modulus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Michael J. Yaszemski
Affiliation:
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, TX78236 Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Beth Israel Hospital, Haravard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
Antonios G. Mikos
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77251
Richard G. Payne
Affiliation:
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, TX78236 Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77251
Wilson C. Hayes
Affiliation:
Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Beth Israel Hospital, Haravard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215
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Abstract

Our laboratory has been developing a particulate composite material as a temporary replacement for trabecular bone. The material is degradable in physiologic fluids, and uses starting materials that the body can metabolize and excrete. This study investigates the influence of the molecular weight of one component, a linear polyester, on the mechanical strength of the composite material. The compressive strength and modulus increase from “low” to “medium” molecular weight, but do not increase further from “medium” to “high” molecular weight. Low, medium, and high are relative to the highest molecular weight attainable with the current reaction scheme, which is a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 2,038 and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 11,916.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1994

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