PNIPU researchers have discovered how medical polymers break down under elevated temperatures.

In the field of medicine, specialized materials such as PEEK (polyetheretherketone) and PLA (polylactic acid) are used to manufacture implants, ampoule holders, probes, flasks, and other equipment. During procedures, these tools come into contact with various substances and liquids, which gradually degrade the polymers. Understanding the degradation processes of PEEK and PLA is crucial for ensuring the safety and longevity of biomedical devices. Researchers at Perm Polytechnic University have conducted a series of experiments to identify the conditions under which PEEK and PLA polymer products deteriorate more rapidly.

2024-10-25 07:31:44https://naked-science.ru/article/column/meditsinskie-polimery-pri

The article is published in The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. The research was conducted under a government assignment from the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia for the execution of fundamental scientific studies.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polylactic acid (PLA) materials are widely used in the production of medical instruments due to their biocompatibility and high mechanical strength. PEEK has a high melting temperature (300 °C) and successfully replaces metal implants, while PLA is well-suited for 3D printing and is derived from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugarcane, making this biodegradable polymer cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Scientists from Perm Polytechnic University conducted a series of experiments to study the degradation of PEEK and PLA and the substances that may accelerate this process. The researchers printed a series of samples made from polyetheretherketone and polylactic acid using a 3D printer and then immersed them in various liquid environments – a sodium chloride solution and distilled water. Elevated temperatures of 45 °C and 70 °C were used to accelerate degradation. Observations lasted from one to seven days, after which tensile testing of the samples was conducted to assess their mechanical properties and strength based on the duration of exposure to the liquids.

“The degradation of PLA samples in distilled water at 70 °C occurred rapidly. The material's strength dropped sharply within the first day of the experiment, and after five days, it became impossible to conduct tensile testing as the samples became too brittle. In contrast, this was not observed in the samples that were in the sodium chloride solution at the same temperature; however, gradual degradation of the material was noted there as well,” says Mikhail Tashkinov, head of the research laboratory "Mechanics of Biocompatible Materials and Devices" at PNIPU, PhD in physics and mathematics.

“The PEEK samples proved to be significantly more resistant to the destructive effects of both liquids. Over the course of a week at 70 °C, their properties changed minimally, with deviations not exceeding two percent. This is explained by the polymer's higher melting temperature,” explains Ilya Vindokurov, junior researcher at the research laboratory "Mechanics of Biocompatible Materials and Devices" at PNIPU.

The research conducted by the scientists at Perm Polytechnic University revealed that PEEK and PLA polymers have different resistance to degradation depending on temperature and liquid exposure. The results obtained will help develop recommendations for the use and sterilization of medical instruments to ensure their durability and safety.