Effect of Processing Factors on Flexural Properties of Cf-HA/PMMA Composites

Short carbon fiber (Cf) reinforced nano-hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix bio-composites were prepared by an in situ processing and solution co-mixing process. The influence of carbon fiber content, initiator dosage, and nano-HA mass fraction on the flexural properties of the composites were particularly investigated. The flexural strength and modulus were tested by universal testing machine. The flexural fracture surface morphologies were characterized using scanning electron microscope. Results reveal that the as-prepared Cf/HA-PMMA composites have excellent flexural properties. With the increase of carbon fiber content, benzoyl peroxide (BPO) dosage, HA mass fraction and reaction temperature, the flexural strength, and modulus of Cf-HA/PMMA composites first increase to a maximum and then decrease. The flexural strength and flexural modulus will reach the maximum value of 129.56 MPa and 4.47 GPa when carbon fiber mass content, BPO dosage, and HA mass content arrive at 4, 1.6, and 8 wt%, respectively and reaction temperature is 80°C.