The use of polymer as biomaterials has increased in recent years, mainly as polymeric supports in the three-dimensional regeneration and substitution of tissues. Although the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) shows advantages in its use as biomaterial, particularly as orthopedic implants, its low chemical reactivity constitutes a limiting factor for interaction with the osseous tissue. The morphological modification of this polymer, leading to a porous material, and its association with a bioactive material can provide tailored biomaterials for the regeneration and replacement of osseous tissue. In this work, polymeric porous supports have been prepared by combining the techniques of salt leaching and compression molding with the application of distinct compression pressures. The polymeric supports showed interconnected porosity with size of pores between 34 and 49 mm and porosity between 39 and 53%, which can then be considered as suitable porous biomaterial.
Biomaterials; ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); porous biomaterials; salt leaching; compression molding
