Injection-molded porous hydroxyapatite/polyamide-66 scaffold for bone repair and investigations on the experimental conditions

Hydroxyapatite/polyamide-66 (HA/PA66) composite scaffolds were prepared using injection-molding technique and also analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and mechanical testing. Compared with common methods to fabricate scaffolds, this process can fabricate composite scaffolds in a rapid and convenient manner by adjusting the experimental conditions of foaming agent and shot size. The interactions between PA66 and HA particles affect the crystallization behavior of PA66 and the pore structure of scaffolds. HA particles can increase the stiffness of composite scaffolds accompanied by the reduction of impact strength, pore size and porosity. The obtained 40 wt% HA/PA66 composite scaffolds with a pore size ranging from 100–500 μm and a porosity more than 65% can simultaneously meet the requirements of porous structure and mechanical performance. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1003–1012, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers