Preparation and biocompatibility of poly (methyl methacrylate) reinforced with bioactive particles

A biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) and a bioactive glass composition (BG) were combined with polymers to produce composites with tailorable properties and processability. The BCP particles were synthesised by a precipitation technique. The BG particles were produced by sol-gel processing. The BCP particles were treated with a silane agent to improve the compatibility between particles and the polymer matrix. Dense samples, produced by hot pressing (200 C) a mixture of 30 wt% of particles in poly (methyl methacrylate), were characterised by XRD, IR spectroscopy and SEM. Mechanical properties were evaluated by a three point bending test. Samples were also submitted to in vitro bioactivity and in vivo toxicity tests. Production of the composites was achieved, yielding materials with particles well dispersed within the matrices. Evaluation of the in vivo inflammatory response showed low activity levels for all composites although composites with silane treated BCP particles led to milder inflammatory responses than composites with non-treated particles. 8 refs.