A comparative study of 3D printing and heat-compressing methods for manufacturing the thermoplastic composite bone fixation plate: Design, characterization, and in vitro biomechanical experimentation

Abstract

Metallic bone fixations, due to their high rigidity, can cause long-term complications. To alleviate metallic biomaterials’ drawbacks, in this research new Glass Fiber/Polypropylene (GF/PP) composite internal fixations were developed, and an investigation of their mechanical behavior was performed through in vitro biomechanical experiments. Short randomly oriented, long unidirectional prepreg, and long unidirectional fiber yarn were considered as reinforcements, and the effects on their mechanical properties of different manufacturing processes, that is, 3D printing and heat-compressing, were investigated. The constructed fixation plates were tested in the transversely fractured diaphysis of bovine tibia under axial compression loading. The overall stiffness and the Von Mises strain field of the fixation plates were obtained within stable and unstable fracture conditions. The samples were loaded until failure to determine their failure loads, strains, and mechanisms. Based on the results, the GF/PP composite fixation plates can provide adequate interfragmentary movement to amplify bone ossification, so they can provide proper support for bone healing. Moreover, their potential for stress shielding reduction and their load-bearing capacity suggest their merits in replacing traditional metallic plates.

Energy absorption and collapse behavior of PP‐based pin‐reinforced composite sandwich panels under quasi‐static flatwise compression loading

“…[ 13 ] In addition, they pointed out that the use of glass fiber improves the design aspects and mechanical properties of neat PP. [ 14,15 ]…”

“…[13] In addition, they pointed out that the use of glass fiber improves the design aspects and mechanical properties of neat PP. [14,15] In the literature, sandwich structures with traditional core arrangements such as cork, [16] honeycomb, [17] corrugated, [18] pyramid, [19] and rod [20] have mostly been studied, and sandwich structures with a foam core reinforced through-thickness struts have rarely been studied. Materials with reduced density are usually strengthened by suitable reinforcement elements, so they achieve a higher load-carrying capacity through the direction of thickness while maintaining the lightweight.…”

Effects of non-Fourier bioheat transfer on bone drilling temperature in orthopedic surgery: Theoretical and in vitro experimental investigation

“…1 The bone drilling is usually used to prepare the broken bone for the insertion of a nail, screw, plate, or wire to repair it. 2–4…”

“…1 The bone drilling is usually used to prepare the broken bone for the insertion of a nail, screw, plate, or wire to repair it. [2][3][4] Heat is created during bone drilling because to the breakage of intermolecular connections in the cutting process (shearing the cutting edges) and friction among the bone, the drill bit flank face, and the chips. The shear and friction energies grow as the drill feed rate (axial drilling force) and spindle speed (drilling torque) increase.…”