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Polydimethylsiloxane and poly(ether) ether ketone functionally graded composites for biomedical applications

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journal contribution
posted on 2019-03-07, 10:13 authored by James A. Smith, Elisa MeleElisa Mele, Rowan Rimington, Andrew CapelAndrew Capel, Mark LewisMark Lewis, Vadim SilberschmidtVadim Silberschmidt, Simin LiSimin Li
Functionally graded materials (FGMs), with varying spatial, chemical and mechanical gradients (continuous or stepwise), have the potential to mimic heterogenous properties found across biological tissues. They can prevent stress concentrations and retain healthy cellular functions. Here, we show for the first time the fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane and poly(ether) ether ketone (PDMS-PEEK) composites. These were successfully manufactured as a bulk material and functionally graded (stepwise) without the use of hazardous solvents or the need of additives. Chemical, irreversible adhesion between layers (for the FGMs) was achieved without the formation of hard, boundary interfaces. The mechanical properties of PDMS-PEEK FGMs are proven to be further tailorable across the entirety of the build volume, mimicking the transition from soft to harder tissues. The introduction of 20 wt% PEEK particles into the PDMS matrix resulted in significant rises in the elastic modulus under tensile and compressive loading. Biological and thermal screenings suggested that these composites cause no adverse effects to human fibroblast cell lines and can retain physical state and mass at body temperature, which could make the composites suitable for a range of biomedical applications such as maxillofacial prosthetics, artificial blood vessels and articular cartilage replacement.

Funding

The authors would like to thank: the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Doctoral Training in Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing (EP/L01534X/1) for funding, and the EPSRC grant EP/L02067X/1; the support of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Grant STWK-014. EM acknowledges the support of the Royal Society, Grant RG170174.

History

School

  • Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering
  • Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

Department

  • Materials

Published in

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials

Volume

93

Pages

130 - 142

Citation

SMITH, J.A. ... et al, 2019. Polydimethylsiloxane and poly(ether) ether ketone functionally graded composites for biomedical applications. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 93, pp.130-142.

Publisher

© Elsevier

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Publisher statement

This paper was accepted for publication in the journal Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials and the definitive published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2019.02.012

Acceptance date

2019-02-11

Publication date

2019-02-12

Copyright date

2019

ISSN

1751-6161

Language

  • en