Study of the mineral-organic linkage in an apatitic reinforced bone cement.

In order to increase mechanical properties of surgical cements, an apatitic filler has been linked to the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) matrix. We report here the study of the linkage between the mineral and organic components by a dielectric spectroscopy: Thermally Stimulated Current. First, the mineral-organic interface between apatitic-octocalcic phosphate and hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) has been investigated. Second, the filler-matrix interface between grafted apatite and PMMA has been examined. It has been shown that the filler is chemically linked to the matrix and stiffens the PMMA bone cement.