Development of braided carbon/PEEK composite bone plates

Abstract

In this study, a novel fabrication method using braiding technique was applied to fabricate carbon/ PEEK composite bone plates. Four-point bending tests of the composite plates were carried out to compare with the conventional stainless-steel bone plate. The braided composite bone plates with considered braiding angles displayed a maximum bending moment in the range of 38.2 ∼ 44.0 % and bending stiffness in the range of 26.6 ∼ 30.2 % of those of a stainless-steel plate. The bending properties of braided composite plates are comparable with those of the polymer composite bone plates reported in the literature. The potential of braided carbon/PEEK composite material for bone fracture fixation applications is indicated.