Polymer Testing 19 (2000) 485–492 Material Characterisation Characterization and application of poly(β- hydroxyalkanoates) family as composite biomaterials Norma Galego a,b,* , Chavati Rozsa a , Rube ´n Sa ´nchez b , Juan Fung c , Analı ´a Va ´zquez d , Julio Santo Toma ´s e a Laboratory of Polymers, Materials and Reagents Institute, Havana University, Havana City 10400, Cuba b Advanced Material Laboratory, Polymer Section, North Fluminense State University, Campos, R.J., Brazil c Polytechnic Institute “Jose ´ Antonio Echevarrı ´a”, Cuba d INTEMA-Mar del Plata National University, Argentina e Laboratory of Chromatography, Research Institute of Sugar Cane Derivatives, Cuba Received 6 October 1998; received in revised form 28 January 1999; accepted 12 February 1999 Abstract Some polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and copolymers poly(hydroxybutyrate- co-hydroxyvalerate) (P(HB-co-HV)), were characterized by different techniques (GPC, DSC, DMA, FTIR, DRX) in order to be used in hydroxyapatite (HA) composites. These polymers presented high molecular weights and are semicrystalline materials. The crystallinity has a slight tendency to decrease with the increasing HV content in the copolymer. PHA/HA composites prepared at the same composition, showed a lower elastic modulus than 0 and 8% HV content. The composite P(HB-co-8%HV)/HA (30% w/w) has the highest modulus. In addition, this composite has a mechanical strength in compression of 62 MPa, which is about the same order of magnitude of several human bones and thus it is interesting as biomaterial for use in fracture fixation.  2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Synthetic and natural hydroxyapatites (HA) have the same chemical composition and crystallo- graphic properties as bone joint. Their biocompatibility and osteoconductive behaviour is suitable * Corresponding author. 0142-9418/00/$ - see front matter  2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII:S0142-9418(99)00011-2