The effect of 3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/hydroxyapatite composites

Abstract

AbstractThe poly(methyl methacrylate)/hydroxyapatite (PMMA/5HA) composites were prepared by using heat‐processing polymers powder and liquid method with a ratio of 10 : 4 according to the dental laboratory practice. The hydroxyapatite (HA) was surface treated using 3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (γ‐MPS) with different concentrations based on HA (i.e., 2, 4, 6, and 8%). The chemical treatment of HA was examined using Fourier Transform Infrared Ray Spectroscopy (FTIR). The mechanical properties of PMMA/5HA composites were characterized using tensile, 3‐point bending flexural and fracture toughness tests. The morphological properties of the PMMA/5HA composites were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The intensities of absorption bands at 840, 873, and 1031 cm−1 which are corresponding to SiO stretching were observed and became higher as the increasing concentration of γ‐MPS for the HA treatment. This indicates that the HA was successfully treated by γ‐MPS. It is interesting to note that the flexural modulus and strength of PMMA/5HA was increased significantly by 6% γ‐MPS. The improvement of the mechanical strength could be related to the enhancement of interfacial interaction between PMMA and HA by the surface treatment of γ‐MPS. In addition, the fracture toughness properties of PMMA/5HA composites were also influenced by the different concentration of γ‐MPS. It is believed that the γ‐MPS could act as a good silane coupling agent for the PMMA/5HA composites. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010