Mesoscale modeling and biocompatibility of nano-hydroxyapatite reinforced ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composite

This work aims to implement an efficient and accurate computational model to predict elastoplastic properties of UHMWPE/nano-HA bio-composite. Mean-field (MF) homogenization and finite element (FE) techniques are implemented to predict the elastoplastic behavior of composite. The predicted results obtained by MF and FE were compared and validated experimentally by fabricating the specimen using microwave-assisted compression molding. The axial and transverse moduli were increased by 49% at a 20% weight fraction of nano-HA. The hardening modulus was also found to be increased by 67%. Further, Degree of crystallinity (X c ) of fabricated composite specimens was determined using differential scanning calorimetry analysis. It was found that the X c increased 34% with the addition of 20% weight fraction of nano-HA. In vitro, direct contact cytotoxicity and antibacterial test were performed to determine cell adhesion and bacterial behavior of the composite.