Effect of Electric Current Value on the Tensile Strength of HAp/collagen Composite Fiber Bundles Prepared by Electrophoresis

Abstract

Recently, we attempted to optimize the microstructures of composite materials, composed of collagen fibers and hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles, by mimicking bone microstructures. This study further investigates these materials to clarify how the tensile strength of the HAp/collagen composite fiber bundles is affected by the electric current used during their preparation via electrophoresis. The collagen fiber preparation and HAp deposition were carried out using the bioinspired method and biomimetic deposition, respectively. The tensile strength was evaluated by micromechanical testing. The tensile strength of collagen fiber bundles and HAp/collagen composite fiber bundles increased and then decreased with increasing electric current. This indicated a trade-off relationship between tensile strength and bundling. The optimal electrophoresis current value was determined to be 4–5 mA. Additionally, the optimal method to introduce the adhesive protein to the bundles was discussed.