Mechanical and Physicochemical Characteristics of Nano-Hydroxyapatite Polymer Composites


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Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | 02 | Page : –
    By

    J. Lurdhumary,

  • Ashwin Sailesh,

  • DVSSSV Prasad,

  • N. Krishnamoorthy,

  • P. Sivabalan,

  • S. Suresh,

  • S. Philip Raja,

  • G. Nixon Samuel Vijayakumar,

  • K. Uma,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Sri Sairam Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sri Sairam Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  3. Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aditya University, Surampalem, Andhra Pradesh, India
  4. Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Sri Eshwar College of Engineering, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
  5. Professor, Department of Naval Architecture & Offshore Engineering, AMET University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  6. Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  7. Associate Professor, Department of Physics, St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  8. Professor, Department of Physics, R.M.K.Engineering College, Kavaraipettai, Tamil Nadu, India
  9. Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Prathyusha Engineering College, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

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This study focuses on the development and characterization of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp)-reinforced poly (lactic acid) (PLA) composites for biomedical applications. The composites, prepared with varying nHAp content (5–25 wt%), were evaluated for their mechanical and physicochemical properties, including tensile strength, Young’s modulus, elongation at break, thermal stability, hydrophilicity, and crystallinity. Results revealed that tensile strength increased significantly with the incorporation of nHAp, reaching a peak of 62 MPa at 15 wt%, due to optimal dispersion and strong interfacial bonding. However, higher nHAp content (20–25 wt%) led to particle agglomeration, reducing tensile strength to 52 MPa. Young’s modulus increased steadily from 2.5 GPa to 4.8 GPa, enhancing stiffness essential for load-bearing implants. Crystallinity peaked at 34% for 20 wt% nHAp, reflecting enhanced structural order but decreased at 25 wt%, highlighting the impact of overloading. Thermal stability, assessed through thermogravimetric analysis, remained adequate for biomedical use, with slight reductions due to nHAp’s heat-conductive nature. Hydrophilicity improved significantly, as evidenced by a reduction in contact angle from 80° for pure PLA to 60° for 25 wt%, promoting better cell adhesion. While elongation at break reduced from 5% to 2% with increased nHAp, this was acceptable for applications prioritizing strength and rigidity. These findings provide insights into optimizing nHAp-PLA composites for applications such as orthopaedics and dental implants.

Keywords: Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp), Poly (lactic acid) (PLA), Biomedical composites, Mechanical properties, Physicochemical optimization

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How to cite this article:
J. Lurdhumary, Ashwin Sailesh, DVSSSV Prasad, N. Krishnamoorthy, P. Sivabalan, S. Suresh, S. Philip Raja, G. Nixon Samuel Vijayakumar, K. Uma. Mechanical and Physicochemical Characteristics of Nano-Hydroxyapatite Polymer Composites. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
J. Lurdhumary, Ashwin Sailesh, DVSSSV Prasad, N. Krishnamoorthy, P. Sivabalan, S. Suresh, S. Philip Raja, G. Nixon Samuel Vijayakumar, K. Uma. Mechanical and Physicochemical Characteristics of Nano-Hydroxyapatite Polymer Composites. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=0


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
02
Received 09/12/2024
Accepted 10/01/2025
Published 23/01/2025
308