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Glass-mat woven-fabric-reinforced santoprene composites were fabricated at various temperatures and processing times. The molding temperatures were 190, 200, 210, 220 and 230'C, and the impregnation time was varied between 1 and 30 minutes. Samples were compression molded, and the effects of processing variables such as temperature and time on tensile properties were studied. The degree of impregnation of matrix resin into the reinforcing glass mat was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and tensile properties. In samples fabricated at 190'C, complete impregnation occurred before 10 minutes. The processing temperature had a pronounced effect on the composites; that is, degradation of the matrix resin occurred in samples fabricated at elevated temperatures. Evidence of degradation of the matrix resin processed above 190'C is confirmed by depression of the melting point of the matrix resin and reduction of the tensile strength. The tensile properties of the composites depend on the quantity of voids. Thus, the higher the void content, the lower the tensile properties.

Electrospinning technique has emerged as a widespread technology used to produce scaffolds (a synthetic nanofibrous structures) with morphologies and diameters in a range akin to those found in the Extra Cellular matrices (ECMs) of human tissues. Nanofibres were produced from a blend of two optical isomers of poly(Lactic acid): the Crystalline poly(D, lactic acid) (PDLA) and the hemicrystalline poly(L, lactic acid) (PLLA), at different electrospinning parameters. This was carried out in quick succession by sandwiching PLLA between PDLA. The resultant scaffold with fibre diameter 770 nm was successfully obtained at voltages of 15 kV and 18 kV for the PDLA and PLLA respectively, on a rotating mandrel collector. The SEM images show good fibres alignment and the average tensile modulus of the scaffold was approximately 176 MPa. This result reveals that the sandwiched scaffold is tough and ductile and would successfully enhance neogenesis. The scaffold, therefore, would support the mechanical strength of tissues with high mechanical demand, such as heart valves, tendon or ligament. Thus, the scaffold could be suitable for application in various tissue engineering and implants technology.