Creep behavior of Biodegradable Triple-component Nanocomposites Based on PLA/PCL/bioactive Glass for ACL Interference Screws

Background: Short-time creep behaviorfor aseries of biodegradable nanocomposites, which areused as implantabledevices inthe body, is a crucial factor.The present study aimed to investigate the effect of bioactive glass nanoparticles(BGn) on creep and creep-recovery behaviors of polylactic acid/polycaprolactone (PLA/PCL) blends at different givenloads and different applied temperatures.Methods: A series of biodegradable nanocomposites consisted of PLA/PCL blends (comprising 80 parts PLA and 20parts PCL) with different amounts of modified-BGn (m-BGn) fillers were prepared using the evaporated solvent castingtechnique. Creep and creep-recovery behaviors of all specimens were studied at different valuable stressesof 3 and 6MPa and different given temperatures of 25 and 37°C.Results: In all cases, m-BGn improved the creep resistance of the nanocomposites due to the retardation effectduring the creep behaviors of the nanocomposite systems. The obtained results in terms of creep and creep-recoveryproperties determined that the nanocomposites of PLA/PCL/m-BGn can satisfy the required conditions of an appropriateanterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) screw.Conclusion: The obtained results confirmed that the BGn plays an impeding role in the movement of PLA/PCL chainsleading to in increase the creep resistance. According to the results, it was determined that the nanocomposites of PLA/PCL and m-BGn can satisfy the required circumstances of a proper ACL-R screw.Level of evidence: I

Keywords:

ACL screws , bioactive glass nanoparticles , Creep , creep recovery , PLA/PCL blend