Development of Halloysite Loaded Polypropylene Sutures with Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Properties

Polypropylene is a crucial polymeric material in modern life, especially in the packaging and food industry, as well as the biomedical field. This study aimed to enhance the mechanical properties of polypropylene structures used as surgical suture material by preparing polypropylene-halloysite (PP-halloysite) composites. Halloysite was added in varying amounts (1%, 3%, 5%, and 10%) to polypropylene, and the resulting composites were passed through a double heated extruder. Structural characterization of the PP-halloysite composites was carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (SEM-EDX), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) ), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) techniques to determine their thermal properties and softening temperatures. Mechanical tests were conducted to examine the composite suture structures obtained and determine the effect of halloysite doping on their mechanical properties. The results of the mechanical tests showed that the mechanical strength of the fiber structure increased with the amount of halloysite added. Therefore, the PP-halloysite suture structures could be used as non-melting suture material, especially in surgeries that require high strength compared to pure polypropylene structures.