Surface oxidation of polyethylene fiber reinforced polyolefin biomedical composites and its effect on cell attachment.

Three different compositions of butene-ethylene copolymer composites reinforced by polyethylene fibers and produced by filament winding are potentially suitable for biomedical applications. This study examines the effect of various processing and finishing conditions and of sterilization on the extent and composition of surface oxidation. An XPS analysis revealed only insignificant differences between the various treatments, while fibroblast cell attachment tests indicated good attachment with no signs of cytotoxity or cell degeneration for any of the materials.