Development, mechanical evaluation and surface characteristics of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol based polymer composite...

Mechanical properties of orthopedic implants play important role in the regeneration and cell growth of the diseased body part. The present investigation was aimed at the development of a biocompatible, biodegradable and mechanically stable coating of chitosan (CS)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer composite on Titanium (Ti) metal by employing a simple methodology at ambient conditions. The PVA to CS concentrations were maintained in fixed ratios of 1:4 weight/weight (w/w) for the development of all the coatings on Ti metal. Four different concentrations of the polymers ranging in the order of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% weight/volume (w/v) solution of CS were selected in an aim to test their efficacy on mechanical stability. The results obtained from the analysis confirmed considerable improvement in mechanical properties of the composite polymer film comprising CS and PVA on Ti metal with the four different concentrations showing variable elastic modulus and hardness. The difference in mechanical properties of both dehydrated and hydrated coatings demonstrates the effective and efficient shielding of high mechanical properties of Ti metal in physiological conditions. The scratch tests performed on the coated specimens also indicated a good adhesion of the polymer on the Ti metal surface.