Production and characterization of silicone rubber socket lining containing metal ion doped hydroxyapatite and chitosan

In this research, in this study, polymer composites with a silicone rubber matrix containing hydroxyapatite (HA) and various additives (Zn, Mg, Sr, Ag, and chitosan) were prepared and their mechanical, physical, microstructural, and antibacterial properties were thoroughly investigated. Tensile tests demonstrated that the additives significantly influenced the mechanical performance of the composites, with Zn, Sr, and Ag-doped samples exhibiting enhanced mechanical strength. Density and water absorption tests revealed that the additives improved structural integrity, resulting in lower water absorption values. In antibacterial tests, particularly the Ag-doped sample (K6) showed the highest antibacterial activity against gram-negative E. Coli and gram-positive S. Aureus bacteria. The results revealed that metal ion additives improved the biocompatibility and functional properties of the composites. This study highlights that the integration of metal ion-doped hydroxyapatite into polymer matrices is an effective approach for developing innovative materials for biomedical applications.