Integrated porous polyetheretherketone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds: design, manufacturing and performance evaluation

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is widely applied in bone grafting benefiting from its matched elastic modulus to cortical bone and excellent biocompatibility, but suffers from bioinertness. From this issue, integrated porous polyetheretherketone/hydroxyapatite scaffold (PEEK/HA-S) was designed and fabricated via aluminum wire 3D braiding-powder filling-heat press-alkaline solution corrosion method, and characterized by mechanical tests. The PEEK/HA-S possessed average pore diameter of 604.8 μm, porosity of 41.69 %, pore interconnectivity of 100 % and specific surface area of 3.70 mm−1. Numerical simulations and theoretical model were carried out to further illustrate the mechanical responses and failure mechanism of PEEK/HA-S. A close agreement between numerical, theoretical and experimental results was observed. The PEEK/HA-S exhibited superior mechanical properties than that prepared by traditional technology due to its integrated structures, and its mechanical properties lied in those of cortical and cancellous bone, which was benefit to mitigate stress shielding. Overall, integrated PEEK/HA-S is highly competitive for bone restorations.