Advanced textile composite ring for Ilizarov external fixator system

The use of a radiolucent composite material permits easier and more accurate radiographic evaluation of the bone healing process, and results in a much lighter system. The finite element method (FEM) is employed to determine the worst possible in-service loading condition and the ring dimensions are modified accordingly. Half-ring prototypes are produced using two types of composite materials: knitted aramid fibre fabric reinforced epoxy and random short carbon (RSC) fibre reinforced epoxy. The in-plane compressive strength and axial stiffness of the complete frame are tested according to ASTM specifications. The performance is evaluated, and compared with an existing system in simulated in-service conditions.