Flexural strength and impact properties of UHMWPE bio-composite as bone plate fixation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is utilised for several purposes, including as a biomedical material for artificial joint replacement. This study looks at the effects of adding nanosized hydroxyapatite (HAP), nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2), carbon fibre (CF), and Kevlar fibre (KF) to bone plate fixation in the femur bone prosthesis. Because of the ease with which they could be processed, their low cost, remarkable mechanical properties, good cell interaction, different amounts of n-HAP and n-TiO2 (1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 wt%), and a fixed amount of CF and KF (5 wt%) were dispersed in UHMWPE-based biocomposites. The UHMWPE/n-HAP and UHMWPE/n-TiO2 particulate biocomposites were prepared by using the dispersing technique followed by hot pressing moulding, then mechanical testing was performed, including flexural, maximum shear stress, and impact tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to observe reinforcement and matrix fractures. Biocomposites with n-HA/Carbon fibre hybrid biocomposites showed better results concerning specific mechanical strength, as well as flexural strength, max. shear and impact energy. The composites show an increase in flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and max. shear stress by 44%, 32.49%, 120.7%, and 182.6% respectively concerning neat UHMWPE. This review focuses on the benefits of UHMWPE particulate biocomposites in a variety of weight proportions and hybrid biocomposites, which have not yet been tested as a superior alternative for the creation of bone plate fixation.