Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Bio Polymer Matrix Composites for Biomedical Prosthesis Applications

Abstract

Due to limitations of Conventional metallic biomaterials an attempt is made to develop a new hybrid polymer matrix composite for load bearing applications of Hip joints in the human body. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene matrix material was blended with 50 wt% of short E-glass fibres and TiO2particles with varying percentage of reinforcement, using injection moulding machine. Fabricated composites specimens were subjected to tensile strength test, Fatigue test, SEM, Wear analysis test and In vivo Biocompatibility test to evaluate mechanical and tribological properties, required for bone joints load bearing applications. The maximum tensile strength of 41.5 MPa and young’s modulus of 7.5 GPa is obtained. The behavior of S-N curve obtained after the test is linear in nature, which leads to failure at 105cycles for the fabricated composite specimen. Also it reveals that fracture is due to brittle failure. The wear mechanism of composite specimen is, because of abrasion. Density of composite specimens was increased after dipping in the simulated body fluid solution.