Tensile properties and microstructural analysis of spheroidized hydroxyapatite–poly (etheretherketone) biocomposites

Poly(etheretherketone) or PEEK, is a high performance thermoplastic possessing exceptional mechanical properties, high temperature durability, good chemical and fatigue resistance. These coupled with its ability to withstand sterilization treatment, make it a preferred material for biomedical applications. This study examines the benefit of incorporating hydroxyapatite particulates in poly(etheretherketone) for possible usage as bone analogue materials. Flame spheroidized hydroxyapatite (FSHA) were incorporated into semi-crystalline poly(etheretherketone) polymer through a series of processes comprising melt compounding, granulating and injection molding. Biocomposites with high hydroxyapatite loading of up to 40 vol.% were processed successfully using this technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed fair dispersion and distribution of hydroxyapatite particles within the polymer matrix. The series of composites were characterized in terms of tensile and microhardness properties. Microstructural analysis was also carried out to correlate the structure–property relationship of the composite. The dependency of tensile properties such as modulus, strength and strain to fracture as well as the micro-hardness on the volume percentage of hydroxyapatite were investigated. By varying the amount of hydroxyapatite particles in the composite, a wide range of mechanical properties were obtained. In general, the tensile modulus and microhardness increased, while strength and strain to fracture decreased correspondingly with progressive addition of hydroxyapatite particles. The composite system under investigation also exhibited mechanical properties matching those of human bone. With hydroxyapatite loading beyond 30 vol.%, the modulus were within the bounds of the human cortical bone. Findings from this study suggest that this bioactive composite system have the potential as an alternative implant material for orthopaedic application.