Bonelike apatite formation on polymer with three dimensional structure treated with calcium silicate solution treatment

Abstract

Natural bone is a composite in which inorganic apatite crystals are deposited on organic collagen fibers woven into a three-dimensional structure. Three-dimensional ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) braids were treated with calcium silicate solution. Dense and uniform calcium silicate layer was formed on the suface of EVOH braid. Thus treated EVOH braids formed bonelike apatite layer on their surfaces. It can be believed that the present apatite-polymer composite with three-dimensional structure could exhibit bone-bonding ability and mechanical properties analogous to those of human bone.