Fabrication and properties of graded composite rods for biomedical applications

The aim of this study is to fabricate and test the properties of functionally graded composite rods for biomedical applications. A combination of textile preforming and pultrusion techniques was used to fabricate the carbon fiber and Kevlar fiber reinforced graded composite rods. Tensile, bending and compression tests were conducted to determine the mechanical properties. The fabrication procedure demonstrates that composite rods with a Young's modulus varying along its length is feasible. The difference between the tensile modulus between two ends of the composite rod is 60% and tensile strength is 55%. The bending modulus is seen to differ by 150%. The present study demonstrates the possibility of varying the mechanical properties along the length of the composite rods. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd.