Abstract:

Using a polyurethane sponge as a template, hydroxyapatite scaffolds with adjustable porosity were synthesized by the dipping method. First, the HAP powders were prepared and their phase composition were also analyzed. Second, the porous hydroxyapatite scaffolds were made by dipping polyurethane sponge with a uniform pore structure into slurry, and the dipping times could change the porosity of scaffolds from 45％ to 90％.The pores of porous scaffolds were round in shape and 400μm in diameter. With the dipping times increasing, the compressive strength of porous scaffolds correspondingly heightened and reached 3..51MPa after 5 times of dipping, which could meet the clinical requirements. Finally, the biological compatibility of scaffolds was also studied and a conclusion was obtained that the hydroxyapatite scaffolds had certain biological affinity in human environments.

Key words: biological compatibility, compressive strength, porous hydroxyapatite, polyurethane, dipping, porosity