Abstract
A composite material consisting of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and silica was prepared and evaluated as a bioactive bone substitute. The composite was synthesized by the co‐condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate and PCL and end‐capped with triethoxysilane (Si‐PCL). The as‐prepared specimens were subjected to an initial heat treatment of 2 days at 60°C, followed by further heat‐treatments at 100°C, 150°C, and 200°C for 24 h. The tensile mechanical properties of the heat‐treated specimens were determined, and additional specimens were exposed to a simulated body fluid (SBF) for different periods of time. The SBF exposure led to the deposition of a layer of apatite crystals on the surface of the composites. It was found that increasing the second heat‐treatment temperature produced an increase in tensile strength and Young's modulus of the composite but a decrease in the initial rate of apatite formation. These phenomena are explained in terms of the condensation reaction that takes place between the silanol groups in the silica and Si‐PCL as the heat‐treatment temperature is increased. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 68A: 401–410, 2004