TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of environmental ageing on the static and cyclic bending properties of braided carbon fibre/PEEK bone plates
AU - Schambron, Thomas
AU - Lowe, Adrian
AU - McGregor, Helen V.
PY - 2008/10
Y1 - 2008/10
N2 - The use of titanium and steel bone plates to fix fractured limbs can create problems due to stress shielding, bone resorption and subsequent refracture. Here, braided carbon fibre reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone (CF/PEEK) was evaluated as a possible implant material that could reduce these problems. CF/PEEK bone plates were aged in a simulated body environment for up to 12 weeks and then mechanically tested in 3 and 4-point bending tests. Sample mass increased by around 0.3 wt.%, yet bending stiffness and strength remained unchanged. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed no changes in failure modes with age. Braided CF/PEEK shows an excellent resistance to fatigue failure even after prolonged ageing, easily surpassing the fatigue life of commonly used stainless steel alloys such as 316L. In addition, CF/PEEK had half the stiffness of steel for the same static strength, which would reduce stress shielding. Together, the results suggest that CF/PEEK is a highly suitable material for bone plates and should be further investigated for this application. Crown
AB - The use of titanium and steel bone plates to fix fractured limbs can create problems due to stress shielding, bone resorption and subsequent refracture. Here, braided carbon fibre reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone (CF/PEEK) was evaluated as a possible implant material that could reduce these problems. CF/PEEK bone plates were aged in a simulated body environment for up to 12 weeks and then mechanically tested in 3 and 4-point bending tests. Sample mass increased by around 0.3 wt.%, yet bending stiffness and strength remained unchanged. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed no changes in failure modes with age. Braided CF/PEEK shows an excellent resistance to fatigue failure even after prolonged ageing, easily surpassing the fatigue life of commonly used stainless steel alloys such as 316L. In addition, CF/PEEK had half the stiffness of steel for the same static strength, which would reduce stress shielding. Together, the results suggest that CF/PEEK is a highly suitable material for bone plates and should be further investigated for this application. Crown
KW - A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
KW - B. Environmental degradation
KW - D. Mechanical testing
KW - E. Braiding
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=49849087419&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.compositesb.2008.03.001
DO - 10.1016/j.compositesb.2008.03.001
M3 - Article
SN - 1359-8368
VL - 39
SP - 1216
EP - 1220
JO - Composites Part B: Engineering
JF - Composites Part B: Engineering
IS - 7-8
ER -