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Graphite fiber reinforced bone cement

An experimental feasibility investigation

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of a brief experimental investigation to determine the effects of graphite fiber additives on the flexuaral, compressive, and exothermal characteristics of surgical bone cement. The materials used in the investigation were polymethyl-methacrylate (PMM) and chopped graphite (GY70) fibers. Both fiber reinforced and unrein-forced beam and cylinder specimens were fabricated and tested. The unreinforced specimens were used to develop baseline data.

Comparison of static test data indicated that the graphite fiber additives yielded a twofold increase in stiffness without compromising the flexural strength of the material. The compressive strength decreased significantly, however, as a result of poor specimen compaction and the resulting presence of voids. The maximum exothermic temperature developed in the fiber reinforced specimens was approximately half that of the basic PMM.

It is concluded that graphite fiber reinforcement is beneficial in improving certain mechanical and thermal properties of surgical bone cement. However, considerable effort remains to produce a clinically usable graphite fiber reinforced bone cement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Applied Mechanics Division, Pasadena, California

    A. Knoell & H. Maxwell

  2. Joint Implant Surgery and Research Foundation, Los Angeles, California

    C. Bechtol

Authors
  1. A. Knoell
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  2. H. Maxwell
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  3. C. Bechtol
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Additional information

This paper presents the results of one phase of research carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under the sponsorship of the Joint Implant Surgery and Research Foundation, by agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Contract NAS7-100).

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Knoell, A., Maxwell, H. & Bechtol, C. Graphite fiber reinforced bone cement. Ann Biomed Eng 3, 225–229 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02363073

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02363073

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