Effect of stitching on improving the tensile strength of sisal fabric/epoxy composites for internal bone plate applications

Permanent metallic implants have been used traditionally for orthopaedic bone fractures. Though metallic bone plates are medically acceptable, they are also linked with numerous weaknesses like a modulus disparity, corrosion, and delay in fracture healing. Hence, preparing biodegradable implants using biocomposites is the current trend in research. Natural materials may be a good alternative due to their properties closer to the mechanical properties of bone and easily biodegradable too. Sisal is one of the degradable and reprocessing natural fibers, which can be used for implant applications. Nevertheless, low stiffness and strength properties are a common issue in the natural-based composite. However, the high moisture absorption behaviour of natural fibers leads to a loss of mechanical properties. These issues in the natural composite structures can be resolved by stitching methods. Hence, in this connection, the strengthening of composite in the thickness direction was done through the stitching process on improving the tensile properties of non-treated sisal fabrics/biodegradable epoxy resin composite. The results showed that the stitching aided in avoiding the complete withdrawal of fibers by bonding in the thickness direction. The results also showed that an improvement of tensile strength in the stitched composite was around 90% higher than the non-stitched specimen. An in-vitro degradation test was done to estimate the reduction of mechanical strength during biodegradation. The study also proved that stitched sisal composite surges less moisture compared to unstitched composite. Though there was a slight decrease in tensile properties of the composite due to moisture, yet stitched composite could be employed as a bone plate due to their enough tensile strength. Thus, the decomposable stitched sisal composites are a capable substitute bone plate for patients, as they offer provisional mechanical support at the fracture site. Copyright (c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the Second International Conference on Engineering Materials, Metallurgy and Manufacturing.