Bamboo and Glass Fibre Hybrid Laminated Composites as Locking Compression Plate (LCP) for Tibia Fracture Treatment

Abstract

Metallic implants have been used widely in orthopaedic field of area. Materials such as titanium, ceramic, stainless steel, and other metal alloys are commonly used to be attached on bones. Those material have higher stiffness than cortical bone significantly in reducing compression at the fracture site and cause the "stress-shielding" phenomenon. The materials can lead to subsequent bone loss upon healing. Besides, these materials also have limitations involving corrosion and release of ions. This study aimed to investigate the bamboo and glass fibre hybrid laminated composite for orthopaedic applications for tibia fracture fixation. This study involve the uses of bamboo and glass fibre hybrid laminas and cold pressed using epoxy resin to produce layered bamboo epoxy composite laminates with glass fibre. The mechanical properties of layered bamboo epoxy composite laminates including tensile strength and flexural strength are evaluated by using ASTM D3039 and ASTM D790 standard method. Mode of failure is identified at microscopic level using stereo zoom microscope of fractured surfaces under different types of tests. The new material will improve the utilization of locking compression plate (LCP) as the material properties was 66% closer to the cortical bone; hence, stress shielding phenomenon can be minimized. The development of a new material of locking compression plate (LCP) for tibia fracture treatment will be successfully decreased the "stress-shielding"; thus, improved the bone healing process of tibia fracture.