title: The effect of carbon fiber reinforcement on contact area, contact pressure, and time-dependent deformation in polyethylene tibial components.
abstract: To study the mechanical behavior of a commercially available UHMWPE reinforced with carbon fibers, measurements of contact area, contact pressure and time-dependent deformation were made on tibial components from a contemporary total knee replacement loaded to physiological levels. For comparison, similar measurements were performed on identical components manufactured from plain UHMWPE. Contact area and pressure results reflected the increased stiffness of the carbon-UHMWPE material, with smaller contact areas and generally higher contact pressures versus the plain UHMWPE at the same load. Stresses in both materials under the contact area approached or exceeded the yield stresses for the materials when the physiological load was high or the radius of the femoral component indenter decreased (similar to flexion of the knee). Time-dependent deformation over a 24 h period was reduced significantly in the carbon-UHMWPE components for a high physiological load.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics, The Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukubayashi
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Burstein
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002244:Carbon; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D019245:Compressive Strength; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011312:Pressure; D013977:Tibia; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D011095:Polyethylenes; C111601:ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; D002244:Carbon