In situ hydroxyapatite/apatite-wollastonite glass ceramic composite was fabricated by a three dimensional printing (3DP) technique and characterized. It was found that the as-fabricated mean green strength of the composite was 1.27 MPa which was sufficient for general handling. After varying sintering temperatures (1050-1300 degrees C) and times (1-10 h), it was found that sintering at 1300 degrees C for 3 h gave the greatest flexural modulus and strength, 34.10 GPa and 76.82 MPa respectively. This was associated with a decrease in porosity and increase in densification ability of the composite resulting from liquid phase sintering. Bioactivity tested by soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) and In Vitro toxicity studies showed that 3DP hydroxyapatite/A-W glass ceramic composite was non-toxic and bioactive. A new calcium phosphate layer was observed on the surface of the composite after soaking in SBF for only 1 day while osteoblast cells were able to attach and attain normal morphology on the surface of the composite.
Films of polypropylene (PP)/SiO 2 , PP/ZnO and PP/SiO 2 -ZnO nanocomposites have been prepared. SiO 2 and ZnO were prepared by the sol-gel method and mixed with dispersant (Efka) and coupling agent (thiocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane) before being introduced to melted PP in an internal mixer. The transmission of UV, visible light and NIR radiation of the nanocomposite films was less than that of the PP films. Efka and silane made the film clearer to all rays since they hindered the particle agglomeration. PP/ZnO film had a unique property as it blocked UV while transmitted visible light better than PP/SiO 2 . The modulus of PP mixed with metal oxide increased whereas the elongation to break decreased, indicating that the metal oxides increased the film strength and brittleness. The PP/SiO 2 gave higher tensile strength and modulus than the PP/ZnO due to the greater hardness of SiO 2 . The silane improved the tensile strength and modulus of PP/SiO 2 .
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