A Composite Material Based on Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) with Hydroxyapatite Microparticle Inclusions

An organo-mineral composite bone-grafting material was developed and tested. The composite material is based on synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) (30-60 wt%) integrated into the matrix of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) hydrogel. The composite was shown to have a homogeneous and isotropic microstructure, mechanical strength of ~11 MPa, high degree of water absorption reaching 34%, and elastomeric properties under physio-logical conditions (strain at failure is 57%).