Fatigue Strength of Drilled Glass Fiber/Epoxy Laminates for Bone Fracture Fixation

Abstract

The metallic bone fracture fixation plates are progressively being replaced by epoxy-reinforced glass fiber laminates (ERGFL) due to a higher strength-to-weight ratio. Bone fracture fixation laminates are required to sustain the cyclic load due to the physical movement of the body. Therefore, the characterizations of glass fiber/epoxy laminates with drilled holes are mandatory to be studied in full. It was already established by the investigator that the drilling process in laminates created damage around the drilled hole and the drilled damage influences the tensile strength of laminates. The present investigation aims to study the fatigue strength of ERGFL with drilled holes.