Dissolution behavior of high strength bioresorbable glass fibers manufactured by continuous fiber drawing

This article describes the dissolution behavior of three silica-based resorbable glasses manufactured by an industrial-type continuous fiber drawing process yielding fibers with tensile strength of 1800–2300 MPa. The results of a long-term in vitro degradation testing of the manufactured high strength bioresorbable glass fibers are presented. The degradation was performed by exposing the glass fibers to SBF and TRIS for 26 weeks at physiological conditions at 37 °C. All fibers showed continuous resorption throughout the study and two of the fibers revealed bioactivity by forming a calcium phosphate (CaP) layer in SBF.

Bioresorbable glass fiber after 26 weeks dissolution in SBF.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (111 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Bioresorbable glass (BG) fibers manufactured with industrial-type fiber spinning process.
► BG fibers having comparable mechanical properties with E-glass fibersat initial dry stage.
► In vitro bioactivity—Si rich and calcium phosphate layer formation in SBF.
► BG fibers show great potential as reinforcement in load-bearing medical devices.