ABSTRACT
To modulate the physicochemical features of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) multifilaments surface composing a complex textile structure (core and shell system), intended to improve upon current implants for high extension injuries of the Achilles tendon or even for its total replacement, two surface treatments with different purposes (bioactive and biopassive) were studied. The first treatment is based on amino groups grafting using ethylenediamine molecules to be applied in the structure core to improve cell adhesion and proliferation. The other treatment relates to a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating to be applied in the structure shell to decrease its coefficient of friction and avoid adhesions. Both treatments were optimized to reach their purposed goals without harming the tensile properties of PET yarns, which were evaluated by static tensile tests. The resazurin assay and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the purposed goals related to fibroblast adhesion were achieved for both treatments and in the case of PTFE coating, the abrasion resistance was also improved according to the yarn-on-yarn abrasion tests.
