Mechanical properties and microstructure of polyetheretherketone-hydroxyapatite nanocomposite materials

For the first time the polyetheretherketone (PEEK)-hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocomposite materials were successfully prepared, and their microstructure and mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, load-displacement and Young's modulus, were examined. The specimens laminated by the PEEK-HA composite layers with 5 vol.% and 15 vol.% HA were also successfully made, which gave a promising mechanical strength and a high HA content on the specimen surface. This novel approach should be of significance in manufacturing PEEK-HA biomaterials with both satisfactory mechanical properties and high bioactivity.