Finite element investigation into the use of carbon fibre reinforced PEEK laminated composites for distal radius fracture fixation implants.

Carbon fibre reinforced PEEK (CF/PEEK) laminates provide mechanical advantages over homogenous metal osteo-synthesis implants, e.g. radiolucency, fatigue strength and strength to weight ratio.

Multi-axial damage and failure of medical grade carbon fibre reinforced PEEK laminates: Experimental testing and computational modelling.

Orthopaedic devices using unidirectional carbon fibre reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) laminates potentially offer several benefits over metallic implants including: anisotropic material properties; radiolucency and strength to weight ratio. However, despite FDA clearance of PEEK-OPTIMA™ Ultra-Reinforced, no investigation of the mechanical properties or failure mechanisms of a medical grade unidirectional laminate material has been published to date, thus hindering the development of first-generation laminated orthopaedic devices. This study presents the first investigation of the mechanical behaviour and failure mechanisms of PEEK-OPTIMA™ Ultra-Reinforced.

Interfacial behavior between atmospheric-plasma-fluorinated carbon fibers and poly(vinylidene fluoride).

Atmospheric-plasma fluorination was used to introduce fluorine functionalities onto the surface of carbon fibers without affecting their bulk properties. The interfacial adhesion between atmospheric-plasma-fluorinated carbon fibers and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was studied by means of direct wetting measurements and single fiber pullout tests. Measured contact angles of PVDF melt droplets on modified carbon fibers show that short exposure times of carbon fibers to atmospheric-plasma fluorination (corresponding to a degree of surface fluorination of F/C = 0.

Removal of oxidation debris from multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

Conventional liquid phase oxidation of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using concentrated acids generates contaminating debris that should be removed using aqueous base before further reaction.