Low-pressure plasma treatment of polylactide fibers for enhanced mechanical performance of fiber-reinforced calcium phosphate cements

Abstract

Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) are extensively used as synthetic bone grafts, but their poor mechanical properties limit their applicability to non-stress-bearing applications. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the potential of plasma surface modification of polylactide (PLA) fibers for reinforcement of CPCs. Oxygen low-pressure plasma was employed at different treatment times and the surface properties of the untreated and plasma-treated PLA were evaluated. Plasma treatment on the PLA fibers reduced the setting times of the PLA-CPC composites and improved their flexural properties.