a spun or drawn glass fiber for use in the area of medical implants , and particularly as a reinforcement for bioabsorbable polymeric orthopaedic and dental implants . the glass fiber is bioabsorbable and has sufficient tensile strength and elasticity to be used as a reinforcement . it is made up of 5 - 50 % calcium oxide , 50 - 95 % phosphorous pentoxide , 0 - 5 % calcium fluoride , 0 - 5 % water , and 0 - 10 % xo wherein x is either a single magnesium , zinc or strontium ion or two sodium , potassium , lithium , or aluminum ions and when x is aluminum the o represents three oxygen ions .