Biodegradable poly(l-lactide)/calcium phosphate composites with improved properties for orthopedics: Effect of filler and polymer crystallinity

Biodegradable poly(l-lactide)/calcium phosphate composites are promising materials for fabrication of bone fixation implants with improved properties. Multistage compounding was proposed as an efficient method for the preparation of biodegradable poly(l-lactide)/calcium phosphate composites with submicron filler dispersion and mechanical characteristics similar to native bone. The improvement of the characteristics is caused both by the filler itself and by the increase of polymer crystallinity due to the nucleation effect. The technique allows to fabricate biodegradable composites with controlled properties by varying concentration and type of the filler as well as degree of PLLA matrix crystallinity. Animal studies revealed that all the composites were biocompatible and non-toxic. [Display omitted] •Method for preparation of composites with submicron filler dispersion was developed.•Mechanical properties of the composites were similar to those of native bone tissue.•Effects of filler concentration and polymer matrix crystallinity were studied.•In vivo studies revealed biocompatibility of all the composites.