Stainless steel fiber reinforcement of polymethylmethacrylate.

The reinforcement of polymethylmethacrylate with small caliber stainless steel fibers can significantly improve its mechanical properties. While maintaining all the advantages of unreinforced polymethylmethacrylate, it can be demonstrated that compression, flexural tension, tension and impact parameters of cement reinforced with one quarter inch long steel fibers are dramatically enhanced. Careful cement preparation further improves these properties. The polymerizing composite is easily prepared within the operating room and the exothermic reaction is not as severe as the unreinforced material. Furthermore, the metal fiber reinforcement provides the potential for core heating, the capability of depolymerization to facilitate cement removal, and invites research on new prosthetic stem designs.