Finite element modeling of mechanical properties of particulate composite biomaterials

Abstract

The influence of inclusion geometry and volume fraction on stiffness behavior of a particle hydroxyapatite filled polymer (poly-L-lactide and collagen) matrix composite was investigated by finite element. analysis. The compressive Young modulus was found to be slightly dependent on the particle shape, but very sensitive to the volume fraction of the filler particles. It was also shown that filler aspect, ratio, in the range of 1.0-2.5, had an impact on the maximal stress values, while the stiffness values were only barely influenced by the aspect ratio.