Preparation and performance evaluation of PMMA/HA nanocomposite as bulk material.

Compressive strength, micro-hardness indentation, friction, and wear tests of the poly(methyl methacrylate)/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite have been performed and evaluated in order to study the potential application of this nanocomposite in the field of bone tissue regeneration. PMMA/HA nanocomposite in the form of bulk has been successfully prepared by a simple mixture between PMMA and HA nanoparticles. The compressive strength value of PMMA/HA nanocomposite was found to be ∼90 MPa; whereas the compressive Young’s modulus was 840 MPa, and the micro-hardness obtained was 55 MPa. According to the results, PMMA/HA nanocomposite exhibit an acceptable elastic modulus for its possible consideration in the tissue engineering. The wear rate value of the nanocomposite PMMA/HA was found to be at the same magnitude for its similar applied as coating reported previously, while friction coefficients showed higher values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]