Ceramics-Silikáty 55 (4) 401-409 (2011)

Radiolucent Composites Providing High Resistance against Sterilization Decomposition

T. Suchý, K. Balík, R. Sedláček, Z. Sucharda, M. Sochor, J. Prokop, J. Beneš, J. Křena

We present a study of radiolucent composite materials for use in medicine, providing suitable mechanical properties and high resistance against sterilization decomposition. The composites are composed of carbon (C), aramid or glass (R-glass) fabrics embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) matrix. The effect of multiple steam sterilization processes on degrading the mechanical properties, structural integrity and hydrolytic decomposition of the composites was verified. The radiolucency of the composites was also investigated. The mechanical performance of ARAMID/PDMS composite is strongly influenced by the sterilization technique that is applied. The mechanical behavior of R-glass/PDMS composite during steam sterilization is negatively influenced by its porosity. The relatively high porosity of C/PDMS composite may lead to lower ultimate bending strength values, but in general its mechanical behavior is influenced only at a low rate by steam sterilization. On the basis of our analyses, we can state that both C/PEEK and C/PPS composites are good candidates for application as radiolucent materials providing resistance against sterilization decomposition.

Keywords: Composite material, Polymer matrix, Radiolucency, Mechanical properties, Sterilization