Microstructural Characterization of Polylactide/Poly ɛ-Caprolactone Blends for Plate Fixation Internal Application

Abstract

The recovery of a fractured femur using the plate and screw internal fixation. The plate internal fixation is made of metal has good mechanical strength, but causes allergic reactions, secondary surgery, stress shielding and high costs. Evaluation of the lack of metal, now developed biodegradable polymers use Polylactide (PLA) and Poly ɛ-caprolactone (PCL). The advantages of PLA and PCL materi-als can control the rate of degradation and increase mechanical strength. Manufac-turing processes of the plate fixation internal using cold isotactic pressing. Inde-pendent variable on the PLA/PCL blends from 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40 wt% and tested for FTIR, XRD, SEM, density and porosity. Result from adding PCL make the degree of crystallinity is decreased significantly. The formation of semi-crystalline the with peak width smaller and the crystal size bigger in the 60PLA sample. PLA/PCL blends largely formed bonding and some immiscibility in the form of small flakes and cavities after the addition of PCL content. Large cavities reduce density and increase porosity which can affect mechanical proper-ties. 90PLA sample has high density and low porosity of 1,186 g/cm3 and 4% porosity, respectively.