Silicon carbide-carbon composites for small joint prosthesis：a three-dimensional finite element model for biomechanical study / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Silicon carbide-carbon (C/C-SiC) composite materials are widely used, but no relevant experimental studies on medical prosthesis materials have been reported. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the feasibility of C/C-SiC composite materials as a substitute for facet joint prosthesis based on the biomechanical research and three-dimensional finite element analysis. METHODS:The predetermined size C/C-SiC composites and traditional carbon/carbon(C/C) composite materials were placed in an electronic universal testing machine, to measure and calculate material compressive elastic modulus, compressive strength, maximal anticompression force, flexural modulus, bending strength and maximal antibending force. Afterwards friction coefficient, wear volume and weight wear rate were measured. Using three-dimensional finite element analysis, finite element models of the third metacarpal bone were defined as C/C and C/C-SiC composite element types, respectively. 200 N axial force was applied to analyze the total displacement and node stress. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compressive elastic modulus, compressive strength,maximal anticompression force, flexural modulus, bending strength and maximal antibending force of C/C-SiC composites were significantly higher than those of the C/C materials (P < 0.05); friction coefficient, wear volume, weight wear rate, total displacement as wel as node stress of C/C-SiC composites were significantly lower than those of C/C materials (P < 0.05). These results prove that C/C-SiC composite has favorable mechanical properties, antiwear ability, compression resistance and stress resistance.