Preparation of poly(ε-caprolactone)/continuous bioglass fibre composite using monomer transfer moulding for bone implant

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL)/continuous bioglass fibre composite was prepared using the monomer transfer moulding technique coupled with a surface initiated polymerisation. The bioglass fibres were surface treated with an amine ended silane in order to initiate polymerisation of epsilon-caprolactone from the fibre surface. Surface initiated polymerisation significantly improved the Young's nodulus and flexural strength and water resistance of the composite. Initial in vitro biocompatibility assessment suggests that amine ended silane treatment of bioglass fibres before their inclusion in the composite does not have a negative effect on the biological responses in terms of macrophage activation as measured by IL-tbeta release and craniofacial osteoblast attachment. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.