Investigation of the In Vitro Degradation of a Novel Polylactide/Nanohydroxyapatite Composite for Artificial Bone
Figure 12
SEM images of fracture surfaces of degraded PLLA/n-HA biomaterials (×8000) ((a)-0 w; (b)-6 w; (c)-10 w; (d)-14 w; (e)-18 w; (f)-20 w). (a) and (b) No significant changes on the fracture surface, which had no substantial cracks; (c) The fracture showed compact structure with only a small number of cracks as red arrows indicated; (d) Fracture surface showed a large number of mesh-like holes, accompanied by the generation of large cracks as red arrows indicated; (e) Criss-cross cracks on the fracture surface as red arrows indicated; (f) Fracture surface showed more depression, widened and deepened cracks as red arrows indicated, loose structure, and significant degradation.
