KUEU 3147 Biomaterials

Materials For Medical

Applications

Pn. Norita Mohd Zain

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 COMPOSITES
z Individual strengths and weaknesses of polymers, ceramics,
and metals benefit different applications;
z The porosity and hardness of ceramics support tissue
integration into the tissue/implants interface, but these
properties could hardly suit a ligament replacement;
z A composite material incorporates the desired characteristics
of different materials to meet the stringent demands of living
tissue;
z Most composite designs combine strength and flexibility by
reinforcing a relatively flexible material with a harder, stronger
one; and,
z In some cases, one or more of these materials may be
degradable in order to encourage tissue integration.

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Definitions
z Is a structural material that consists of
two or more combined constituents that
are combined at a macroscopic level
and are not soluble in each other.
z Reinforcing phase: fibers, particles or
flakes.
z Matrix phase: polymers, metals,
ceramics

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Classification of
Composite Materials

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Aims of Composite
Fabrication
z To provide mechanical properties in
terms of:
™ Strength

™ Stiffness

™ Toughness

™ Fatigue resistance

z Depends on the geometry of the

reinforcement phase
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Factors Influence
Composites Properties
z Properties of constituent materials
z The reinforcing phase distribution /
orientation
z The interaction / bonding between
reinforcing and matrix phase
z The geometry of reinforcement phase and
its concentration
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Characteristics of
Composite Materials

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Disadvantages of
Composites:

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Role of Matrices in
Composites

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Matrices for Biomedical
Composites
z Absorbable matrices – needed to:
™ expose surfaces to tissue
™ release antibiotics or growth factor (drug
release)
™ accomplish time-varying mechanical
properties
™ Ensure complete dissolution of the implant
™ Eliminate long-term biocompatibility concerns

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Matrices for Biomedical
Composites
z Absorbable matrices
™ Poly(lactic acid) - (PLA)
™ Poly(glycolic acid) - (PGA)
™ Copolymers of the two
™ Poly(ethylene carbonate) – PEC
™ Polycaprolactone
™ Bovine collagen (natural source)
z Typical use: fracture fixation & drug
delivery
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PLA – potentially attractive
for fracture fixation matrices

z It degrades in the body at a rate that

can be controlled.
z Its degradation products are nontoxic,
biocompatible and easily excreted.
z Its rate of degradation can be
controlled by mixing it with PGA
polymer.
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Matrices for Biomedical
Composites
z Nonabsorbable polymers
™ Polysulfone
™ Ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene
™ Polytetrafluoroethylene - (PTFE)
™ Poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA
z Reinfoced with carbon fibers & ceramics for
prosthetic hip stems, fracture fixation devices,
artificial tooth and bone cements.
z Provide specific mechanical properties
unattainable with single homogenous materials.
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Reinforcing Materials for
Biomedical Composites
z Carbon fibers
z Polymer fibers

z Ceramics

z Glass

Can be either inert or absorbable

depending on applications.

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Manufacturing of Carbon
Fibers

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Manufacturing of Glass
Fibers

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Types of Composites

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Fiber-reinforced
composites:

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Fiber-reinforced
Composites

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Polymer Matrix
Composites (PMC)

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Mechanical Properties
of PMCs

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Mechanical Properties of
Fibers

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Factor Versus
Mechanical Performance

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Manufacturing of Fiber-
reinforced Composites

z Open molding
™ Filament winding process
9 Produce high strength hollow cylinders for:
¾ intramedullary rods for fracture fixation
¾ prosthetic hip stems

™ Bag molding process / Autoclave process

9 Produce high performance laminates eg. Fiber-
reinforced epoxy for:
¾ fracture fixation
¾ total hip stems
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Manufacturing of Fiber-
reinforced Composites
z Closed molding
™ Compression molding
9 Produce composite with thermoplastic as a
matrix
™ Injection molding
9 Produce composite devices eg. Bone plates
and screws
™ Continuous pultrusion
9 Produce structural shapes, beams, channels,
pipe and tubing for:
¾ intramedullary rodding
¾ pin fixation of bone fragments
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Filament Winding

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Bag molding process /
Autoclave process

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Continuous Pultrusion

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Something to Ponder???

What are the examples of biological

or natural composite materials?

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