Creep behavior of Biodegradable Triple-component Nanocomposites Based on PLA/PCL/bioactive Glass for ACL Interference Screws

Abstract

Background: Short-time creep behaviorfor aseries of biodegradable nanocomposites, which areused as implantable<br />devices inthe body, is a crucial factor.The present study aimed to investigate the effect of bioactive glass nanoparticles<br />(BGn) on creep and creep-recovery behaviors of polylactic acid/polycaprolactone (PLA/PCL) blends at different given<br />loads and different applied temperatures.<br />Methods: A series of biodegradable nanocomposites consisted of PLA/PCL blends (comprising 80 parts PLA and 20<br />parts PCL) with different amounts of modified-BGn (m-BGn) fillers were prepared using the evaporated solvent casting<br />technique. Creep and creep-recovery behaviors of all specimens were studied at different valuable stressesof 3 and 6<br />MPa and different given temperatures of 25 and 37°C.<br />Results: In all cases, m-BGn improved the creep resistance of the nanocomposites due to the retardation effect<br />during the creep behaviors of the nanocomposite systems. The obtained results in terms of creep and creep-recovery<br />properties determined that the nanocomposites of PLA/PCL/m-BGn can satisfy the required conditions of an appropriate<br />anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) screw.<br />Conclusion: The obtained results confirmed that the BGn plays an impeding role in the movement of PLA/PCL chains<br />leading to in increase the creep resistance. According to the results, it was determined that the nanocomposites of PLA/<br />PCL and m-BGn can satisfy the required circumstances of a proper ACL-R screw.<br />Level of evidence: I