Carbon fiber reinforced polyethylene for possible orthopedic uses

Abstract

SummaryProperties of injection-molded high-density polyethylene reinforced with carbon fibers were investgiated. With 20% by weight carbon fibers tensile strength of polyethylene was almost doubled. Further increase of volume fraction of fibers did not produce as dramatic results. With 40% by weight carbon fibers, elastic modulus increased one order of magnitude: from 0.225 X 106 psi to 2.48 x 106 psi. This value is close to the value of the elastic modulus of bone, hence the material may substitute for bone where the same stiffness is required. The total strain a t fracture was reduced two orders of magnitude, but still stayed comparable to total strain in bone failures (1-2'%).No appreciable changes were noted in shear strength, impact strength and wear resistance. The work to fracture increased from 0.9 to 2.9 kg cm/cmz with 40% of carbon fibers.The most significant improvement of polyethylene with addition of carbon fibers was demonstrated in measurements of viscoelastic properties of the material.In summary, it can be stated that injection-molded reinforced polyethylene has much superior properties to the nonreinforced P.E. which can be further improved if better adhesion between P.E. matrix and reinforcing fibers can be secured.Creep characteristics were dramatically improved.

Advanced biomaterials in hip joint arthroplasty. A review on polymer and ceramics composites as alternative bearings

“…Initial studies on carbon-UHMWPE encouraged the development of these materials for implants, legitimated by good results in terms of wear resistance, creep strain, stiffness and withstanding of compressive loads [54,55]. Opposing evidences were found in other studies, indicating a drop in the long-term wear resistance [56], poor interfacial fiber-matrix bond strength [57] and greater fatigue crack progression rate [58]. The main concern with these implants is their release of carbon debris into the proximate tissues.…”

Progress in Nano-Engineered Anodic Aluminum Oxide Membrane Development

“…Incorporation of nanomaterials into other bulk materials can also benefit the final product, e.g. carbon fibers in a polymer matrix [8]. One-dimensional materials such as rods, tubes and fibers can be manufactured by various chemical techniques, but the poly diversity of the final product is generally a problem.…”

Oleg Matveevich Nefedov

“…If the creep resistance can be improved, this should enhance the service lifetime of the prostheses. Bradley (Bradley and Evans 1977) and Sclippa and Piekarski (1973) report improved mechanical properties although the latter workers used a sand slurry to evaluate wear resistance and found little difference from unreinforced polymer. The sand slurry test is used industrially to evaluate UHMWPE and to distinguish it from low molecular weight polymer.…”