Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is used for medical devices such as sutures or orthopedic screws. A standard way to determine the loss of mechanical properties of a degradable polymer would be to soak the polymer in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and test the desired property as a function of immersion time. This method is not sensitive enough to discern changes in mechanical properties through the cross-section of the polymer and neglects the degradation that is occurring at the molecular level. This article presents results of a nanoindentation study carried out with PLA. The modulus and hardness of PLA is characterized as a function of processing method, immersion time in PBS, and location of the indent. Measuring local properties with the nanoindenter allowed detection of differences in material properties as a function of all three of these variables. The mechanical properties on the edge were lower than the interior of the sample after in vitro degradation, and changes were seen earlier for nanoindentation than for traditional flexural or tensile tests. The nanoindenter is a valuable tool for quantifying changes in material properties and may have applicability for accelerated tests to screen biomaterials.

Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) has been used for fracture fixation devices, but its use is limited because of its poor biocompatibility and mechanical properties. The effects of extrusion, incorporation of hydroxyapatite (HA) and self-reinforced composites (SRCs) on the resultant mechanical properties of PLLA were examined. Samples were conditioned for up to 52 weeks in PBS at 37 degrees C. Extrusion did not adversely affect the mechanical properties of PLLA. After in vitro conditioning, a slight but significant reduction in the strain to failure and modulus was seen. HA (10-40%) by weight was evenly distributed into PLLA using an intermeshing twin-screw extruder. As ceramic content increased, the initial modulus increased but flexural strength decreased. After immersion, the modulus of all HA-PLLA blends was lower than PLLA. HA particles did not form a strong bond with the PLLA, which promoted easier degradation of the HA-PLLA matrix. SRCs showed a higher modulus and strength when compared to all materials except the modulus of 30 and 40% HA-PLLA composites before immersion. Water preferentially attacked the matrix of the composite, leading to more fiber pullout, but the fiber orientation maintained the advantages in strength and modulus up to 24 weeks in vitro.