Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
J Med Eng Technol. 2020 Nov;44(8):498-507. doi: 10.1080/03091902.2020.1831631.
This study gave an insight on how we can utilise the unique features of bio-composites of albumen-glycerol, reinforced with natural fibres in the production of orthopaedic cast. Studies on the use of natural fibres as a replacement to man-made fibres in fibre-reinforced composites has increased and opened up for further industrial possibilities. They have the advantages of low density, low cost, biodegradable and environmental friendly. However, the main disadvantages of natural fibres in manufacturing composites are the poor compatibility between fibre and matrix and the relatively high moisture sorption. Therefore, chemical treatments were used in modifying the fibres surface properties. This work documents an attempt to create an alternative fibre reinforced composite material for possible use in the replacement of Plaster of Paris (POP), used for making orthopaedic cast. The matrix is an albumen/glycerol mix and the fibres are raffia, kenaf and sisal fibres. The bio-composites were analysed by standard methods such as mechanical tests, TGA and SEM. The mechanical properties of this composite material showed a promising future in the orthopaedic field. Natural fibre cast as external immobilising is considered a better orthopaedic modality than the POP as it provides rigid fixation, less time consuming and fewer complications.
本研究探讨了如何利用蛋清-甘油生物复合材料的独特特性，结合天然纤维，生产矫形石膏。使用天然纤维替代人造纤维作为纤维增强复合材料的研究已经增加，并为进一步的工业可能性开辟了道路。它们具有低密度、低成本、可生物降解和环保的优点。然而，天然纤维在制造复合材料方面的主要缺点是纤维与基体之间的相容性差，以及相对较高的吸湿性。因此，采用化学处理方法来改变纤维表面性能。本工作记录了一种尝试，即开发一种替代纤维增强复合材料，可能用于替代用于制作矫形石膏的熟石膏（POP）。基体是蛋清/甘油混合物，纤维是拉菲草、麻纤维和剑麻纤维。采用标准方法对生物复合材料进行了分析，如机械性能测试、TGA 和 SEM。这种复合材料的机械性能显示出在矫形领域有广阔的应用前景。与 POP 相比，天然纤维石膏作为外部固定被认为是一种更好的矫形方式，因为它提供了刚性固定，耗时更少，并发症更少。
