Development and Mechanical Characterization of Glass/Flax/Epoxy Hybrid Composite Plates for Femur Fracture Fixation

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanical feasibility of a hybrid Glass/Flax/Epoxy composite material for bone fracture fixation such as fracture plates. These hybrid composite plates have a unique sandwich structure in which the outer layers are made of Glass/Epoxy and the core from Flax/Epoxy. In order to evaluate the mechanical properties of this hybrid composite, static and dynamic tests, Rockwell hardness test as well as water absorption tests were performed. This study confirms that the proposed hybrid composite plates are significantly more flexible axially compared to conventional metallic plates. Furthermore, they have considerably higher ultimate strength in tension, compression and flexion. Such high strength will ensure good stability of boneimplant construct at the fracture site, immobilize adjacent bone fragments and carry clinical-type forces experienced during daily normal activities. Moreover, this sandwich structure with stronger and stiffer face sheets and more flexible core can result in a higher stiffness and strength in bending compared to tension and compression. These qualities make the proposed hybrid composite an ideal candidate for the design of an optimized fracture fixation system with much closer mechanical properties to human cortical bone