Formulation and Testing of the Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene Montmorillonite Polymer Composite for Drug Eluting Stents

The increasing global prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease (CAD) has driven the demand for innovative solutions in interventional treatments, with Drug-Eluting Stents (DES) becoming a leading choice. However, the existing stent materials are limited by their biocompatibility and mechanical properties, creating the need for new advancements. This study formulates, tests, and characterizes a polymer composite of recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE) and montmorillonite (MMT) for potential application in DES. The research involves material characterization, composite simulation, and optimization using Ansys and Minitab tools, followed by 3D printing of tensile and fatigue test samples to evaluate the composite mechanical properties, alongside morphological analysis using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to assess material interactions. The Mechanical tests reveal an average tensile strength of 2.46±0.01MPa and fatigue strength of 15.03±0.75MPa, much higher than the primary blood pressure goal in patients with established CAD, which is 0.02MPa. The interaction between rLDPE and MMT effectively produces a homogeneous composite with satisfactory mechanical strength, offering a new material for stent construction. Using rLDPE aligns with environmental sustainability by reducing plastic waste and offering a cost-effective alternative to virgin polymers, making DES more accessible while promoting a circular economy. Montmorillonite acts as an excellent reinforcing agent and drug excipient when incorporated into polymer matrices, improving the mechanical strength, flexibility, and drug release control by enhancing the barrier properties of the composite. The study underscores the potential of rLDPE/MMT composites in addressing modern DES technologies' mechanical, environmental, and biocompatibility demands.