title: A complete structural performance analysis and modelling of hydroxyapatite scaffolds with variable porosity.
abstract: The use of hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds for bone regeneration is an alternative procedure to treat bone defects due to cancer, other diseases or traumas. Although the use of HA has been widely studied in the literature, there are still some disparities regarding its mechanical performance. This paper presents a complete analysis of the structural performance of porous HA scaffolds based on experimental tests, numerical simulations and theoretical studies. HA scaffolds with variable porosity were considered and fabricated by the water-soluble polymer method, using poly vinyl alcohol as pore former. These scaffolds were then characterised by scanning electron microscopy, stereo microscopy, X-ray diffraction, porosity analysis and mechanical tests. Different scaffold models were proposed and analysed by the finite element method to obtain numerical predictions of the mechanical properties. Also theoretical predictions based on the (Gibson LJ, Ashby MF. 1988. Cellular solids: structure and properties. Oxford: Pergamon Press) model were obtained. Finally the experimental, numerical and theoretical results were compared. From this comparison, it was observed that the proposed numerical and theoretical models can be used to predict, with adequate accuracy, the mechanical performance of HA scaffolds for different porosity values.
authors.affiliation: a Facultad de Ingeniería, Centro de Investigación y Estudios de Posgrado,Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí , CP 78290 SLP , Mexico.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gallegos-Nieto
authors.forename: Hugo I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Medellín-Castillo
authors.forename: Dirk F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: de Lange
keywords: compressive strength; finite element method; hydroxyapatite; modulus of elasticity; porosity; scaffolds