Modificação da superfície de estruturas de PEEK.

Abstract

The poly (ether-ether-ketone) polymer (PEEK) is known as an alternative biomaterial for the replacement of implantable metal. However, for biomedical applications it is biologically inert, preventing good interaction between the implant and adjacent bone tissues. One way to overcome the inert character of PEEK is the physical modification of its surface by the method of particle leaching. Thus, this work aimed to develop and characterize PEEK structures with modified surface. The technique of deposition of a layer of NaCl on the polymer was used. This material was subjected to a load of 6 tons followed by heat treatment at 390 ° C for three different times. The samples were submitted to the leaching process of NaCl particles and then characterized by FTIR, optical microscopy (MO), cavity distribution, rectilinearity, compressive strength, and cytotoxicity. Typical PEEK polymer vibrations was found, and it was observed that the excessive increase of the exposure time to the heat treatment occurred a possible reduction of the carbonyl to hydroxyl. Once the times was increases, the heat treatment led the samples to a better conformation. This behavior could be explain by a better melting. However, caused less effectiveness in the leaching of NaCl particles. The sample with intermediate heat treatment time was the one with the highest removal of NaCl in the leaching process, cavities with ideal sizes to promote adequate bone regeneration and greater roughness on the modified surface. This being chosen for the accomplishment of the biological test of cytotoxicity and mechanical test of resistance to compression. It was concluded that it presented cellular viability higher than that predicted by ISO 10993-5 2009, however, it was observed that in relation to the mechanical properties, some adjustments must be made in the processing. Because the modification of the surface of the PEEK, as well as the processing method caused changes in the mechanical properties of the sample. Considering the processing aspects, the technique developed in this research was effective to obtain PEEK samples with modified surface with different thermal treatment times, and it can be concluded that the leaching mechanism promoted the modification of PEEK surface morphology.