Predictive modeling of the mechanical properties of particulate hydroxyapatite reinforced polymer composites

The influence of particle geometry and volume fraction on the mechanical properties of a hydroxyapatite (HAp) particulate reinforced polymer (poly-L-lactide and collagen) matrix composite was investigated through finite-element (FE) analysis. For cube-shaped (near sharp and curved corners and edges) embedded particles, it was found that the maximum stress concentration factor (SCF) in the matrix decreases with an increase of the HAp particle volume fraction (PVF). The maximum stress concentration in the matrix material containing a spherical inclusion has low sensitivity to the PVF. The compressive Young's modulus was found to be slightly dependent on particle shape, but very sensitive to PVF. Calculated stiffness values from FE analysis were compared to the experimental results available in the literature and with predictions from the Halpin-Tsai model. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.