Carbon Fiber Reinforced Triazin Resin for Endoprostheses

ABSTRACTMetal alloys, ceramics, and thermoplastics are commonly used as materials for endoprostheses, especially artificial hip joints. Prostheses made of these materials still retain disadvantages which have been responsible for failures in the past. A new material, without the abovementioned disadvantages, has been developed. It is a carbon fiber reinforced thermo set based on the triazin resin. Its principle mechanical properties can be matched with those of bone. The new material (referred to as TCF) has a higher bending and fatigue strength than cast metallic alloys if endless fibers are applied. Its creep rate at 37°C under high load (3000 N), as well as its wear rate against metallic or ceramic wear partners, is negligible. Experiments with animals based on ten years of experience show good osteocompatibility of the TCF. Toxic reactions of the tissue caused by the TCF implants themselves, or by fine wear debris found in membranes of connective tissue (or lymph nodes), were not observed at all. Tissue reacts on large particles of TCF wear debris in the same manner as it does on particulates of the same size of polyethylene. It can be expected that the favorable biomechanical and biological properties of the TCF material will make it a good alternative to other materials already in use for construction of endoprostheses, especially hip joints.