title: Magnesium coated phosphate glass fibers for unidirectional reinforcement of polycaprolactone composites.
abstract: Bioresorbable composites have shown much potential for bone repair applications, as they have the ability to degrade completely over time and their degradation and mechanical properties can be tailored to suit the end application. In this study, phosphate glass fiber (from the system 45% P2 O5-16% CaO-24% MgO-11% Na2 O-4% Fe2 O3 (given in mol%)) were used to reinforce polycaprolactone (PCL) with approximately 20% fiber volume fraction. The glass fiber surfaces were coated with magnesium (Mg) through magnetron sputtering to improve the fiber-matrix interfacial properties. The Mg coating provided a rough fiber surface (roughness (Ra) of about 44nm). Both noncoated and Mg-coated fiber-reinforced composites were assessed. The water uptake and mass loss properties for the composites were assessed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 37°C for up to 28 days, and ion release profiles were also investigated in both water and PBS media. Inhibition of media influx was observed for the Mg-coated composites. The composite mechanical properties were characterized on the basis of both tensile and flexural tests and their retention in PBS media at 37°C was also investigated. A higher retention of the mechanical properties was observed for the Mg-coated composites over the 28 days degradation period.
authors.affiliation: Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: Xiaoling
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LD, UK.
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.affiliation: Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.affiliation: Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: Chris D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Rudd
authors.affiliation: Division of Materials, Mechanics and Structures, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: Ifty
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry*; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; D008274:Magnesium
keywords: magnesium coating, degradation, mechanical property; phosphate glass fiber; unidirectional composite