title: The water uptake of poly(tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate).
abstract: Poly(tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate) possesses some unique characteristics with respect to its biocompatibility and behaviour in water. The water uptake is high (>70%) and very slow (over 3 yr), but the material remains rigid throughout the process. The mechanism behind the uptake is in two stages; an initial Fickian stage, then as the matrix approaches saturation (about 3 wt%) a second clustering mechanism takes over. The rate of uptake of the second stage of the uptake is controlled by creep (or stress relaxation), and the chemical potential driving the uptake from clustering of the furfuryl rings of the polymer. If clustering or the creep is prevented (by appropriate co-polymerisation) the polymer behaves in an ideal, Fickian manner.
authors: IRC in Biomedical Materials, Department of Biomaterials in Relation to Dentistry, St. Bartholomew's and Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary Westfield College, University of London, UK.
authors: P D
authors: PD
authors: Riggs
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Braden
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: Tilbrook
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Swai
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Clarke
authors: M P
authors: MP
authors: Patel
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003764:Dental Materials; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008422:Materials Testing; D008689:Methacrylates; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003764:Dental Materials; D008689:Methacrylates; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D014867:Water; C092890:tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate