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Epoxy resin‐based ultrafine dry powder coatings for implants
Author(s) -
Hou Nicholas Y.,
Zhu Jesse,
Zhang Hui,
Perinpanayagam Hiran
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.43960
Subject(s) - epoxy , materials science , polyester , composite material , polymer , biocompatibility , coating , powder coating , chemical engineering , metallurgy , engineering
Ultrafine dry powder coating technology creates biocompatible polymeric coatings for implants. Nanoparticles (nTiO 2 ) modify flow to prevent agglomeration and create homogenous coatings. Since polyester‐based coatings require the potentially harmful 1,3,5‐triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC) curing agent, this study's objective was to develop alternative TGIC‐free formulations. Epoxy and epoxy/polyester (1:1) hybrid mixtures were enriched with CaO (5% w/w) and nTiO 2 (0.5% w/w), as functional additives and flow modifiers, respectively. Epoxy‐TiO 2 and Hybrid‐TiO 2 mixtures were prepared with micron‐sized TiO 2 (25% w/w) to enhance biocompatibility. Polymer chips and additives were combined in a high‐shear mixer and passed through a sieve (35 µm) to yield ultrafine particles that were sprayed (20 kV) onto metal sheets and cured (200 °C). Particle size analyses showed that all formulations were ultrafine (D 0.5 < 35 µm), and epoxy/polyester/TiO 2 mixtures were the smallest (D 0.5 = 16.34 µm). Angles of repose, avalanche and resting indicated reduced flowability when epoxy was enriched with TiO 2 and/or polyester, although all formulae were highly flowable. Elemental mapping of coatings showed a predominance of carbon (C) and oxygen (O) from resin polymer, and elevated titanium (Ti) in the TiO 2 enriched surfaces. However, calcium (Ca) clusters were higher on the epoxy/polyester Hybrid coatings. Optical microscopy showed human mesenchymal cells (ATCC CRL‐1486) attached and spread out, and Alizarin Red staining showed mineral deposits in 2–4 week cultures, particularly on epoxy/polyester/TiO 2 Hybrid surfaces. These epoxy resin‐based formulations were effective TGIC‐free substitutes for ultrafine dry powder coatings on implants. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133 , 43960.