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Antibacterial properties of components are increasingly becoming an important challenge in material development especially in polymer technology. A well‐known additive with which an antibacterial effect can be achieved is the metal oxide titanium dioxide. The aim of this research work was to investigate possible influences on the flexural properties of additively manufactured components resulting from the addition of titanium dioxide as an antimicrobial additive. Compounds with 5 %, 10 % and 15 % titanium dioxide and polyamide 12 as matrix material were produced. Three‐point bending test specimens were fabricated out of these compounds, anaylsed and the results were compared with specimens made of virgin polyamide 12. The investigations show a general loss in ductility compared to the virgin polyamide 12. A comparison of the different titanium dioxide contents shows no clear change in the flexural stress at conventional bending. The flexural strain at break seems to decrease for higher titanium dioxide contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to integrate an antibacterial agent into implant materials to prevent infection and to investigate the aging behavior of the plastics in physiological solution as a function of filler type and proportion as well as of the process parameters. The active ingredient that is incorporated into the polymer during compounding should remain effective in the body over a long period of time. With varied melt processing conditions, composites made of a biodegradable polylactide (PLA) were mixed with tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and zinc oxide (ZnO) as an antibacterial agent. Hydroxyapatite (HAP) and zinc oxide were incorporated into a non‐degradable polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The material properties of the composites were characterised and investigated with regard to their in vitro behaviour. The investigations were carried out with gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile tests, recording of the mass change during storage and colony forming units test (CFU). Over the investigated ageing period of 9 months in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 37 °C the composites showed antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial properties of plastic components are an important part of polymer engineering. One commonly used additive with an antibacterial effect is titanium dioxide. The aim of this study is to investigate the influences on the mechanical properties resulting from the addition of titanium dioxide as an antimicrobial additive and the processing of the compounds with selective laser sintering. Compounds with 5 %, 10 % and 15 % titanium dioxide and polyamide 12 as matrix material are fabricated. Tensile test specimen are produced from the compounds, examined and the results compared with virgin polyamide 12. The investigations show a general loss in the ultimate tensile strength compared to the virgin polyamide 12. Comparing the different titanium dioxide contents with each other, an increasing tensile strength with increasing titanium dioxide content of the compound can be examined. A decreasing elongation at break and thus a decreasing ductility can also be observed. Furthermore, the results of the tensile test show a stiffening effect, i. e. an increase in the elastic modulus due to the addition of titanium dioxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SeaCell® and SeaCell® Active fibers can be produced on the basis of the ZIMMER Lyocell process. One particularity of the SeaCell® fiber is its capacity to bind and absorb substances. During the activation of SeaCell® fibers the bactericidal metal silver is absorbed by the fully formed cellulosic fiber through metalsorption. The present study demonstrates the antifungal and antibacterial effect of SeaCell®Active in an in vitro test system against Candida albicans (DSM 11225) , Candida tropicalis (ATCC 1169) and Candida krusei (ATCC 6258). Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of fibers with different amounts of SeaCell® Active fibers in a dose-dependent manner against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 22923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218) could be demonstrated. If this fiber seems to be suited for bio-active textiles in specific anatomical body regions and skin conditions with a susceptibility for fungal and bacterial infections namely with Candida species, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli must be examined by means of further investigations, especially in vivo tests in human considering allergic and toxic effects of the fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]