Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10397/1661
PIRA download icon_1.1View/Download Full Text
Title: Biodegradation of a silkworm silk/PLA composite
Authors: Cheung, HYK
Lau, KTA 
Pow, YFB
Zhao, Y
Hui, D
Issue Date: 17-Sep-2009
Source: Composites. Part B, Engineering, Article in Press, available online 17 September 2009, [p. 1-6]
Abstract: Animal silks and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) are potential materials for biomedical and bioengineering applications. Biodegradability of these materials thus is important to minimize any extra pain of patients with bone defects due to second operations for removing those non-biodegradable implants. However, the control of their biodegradability and mechanical properties is essential to ensure a smooth load transfer from a depredating implant to neo-tissue. In this study, a biodegradation test on silk/PLA biocomposites was performed. Physical and mechanical properties, pH condition of the surrounding fluid and the morphology of fractured samples were studied at specific time points. It was found that there were no significant differences between the pH values of the solution and weight loss for both pure PLA samples and silk/PLA biocomposites. Moreover, with the reinforcement of silk fiber, stiffness and ductility of PLA were enhanced and a faster biodegradation rate was observed within the 4-month biodegradation period. It can be concluded that the biodegradation rate of implants can be altered and their mechanical properties can be enhanced by incorporation of silk fiber. This is a potential solution to match with the degradation rate of PLA to the regeneration rate of neo-tissues.
Keywords: Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
Mechanical properties
Physical properties
Surface analysis
Publisher: Pergamon Press
Journal: Composites. Part B, Engineering 
ISSN: 1359-8368
EISSN: 1879-1069
DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2009.09.004
Rights: Composites: Part B: Engineering © 2009 Elsevier B.V. The journal web site is located at http://www.sciencedirect.com.
Appears in Collections:Journal/Magazine Article

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
Biodegradation of silkworm silk_Karen.pdfPre-published version1.8 MBAdobe PDFView/Open
Open Access Information
Status open access
File Version Final Accepted Manuscript
Access
View full-text via PolyU eLinks SFX Query
Show full item record

Page views

212
Last Week
0
Last month
Citations as of Mar 24, 2024

Downloads

399
Citations as of Mar 24, 2024

SCOPUSTM   
Citations

79
Last Week
1
Last month
0
Citations as of Mar 28, 2024

WEB OF SCIENCETM
Citations

64
Last Week
0
Last month
0
Citations as of Mar 28, 2024

Google ScholarTM

Check

Altmetric


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.