Did you know that the invention of carbon fiber goes all the way back to 1860?
Carbon fiber has been touted by many to be a material of the future. It’s durable, lightweight, heat-resistant, and corrosion-resistant, making it a versatile composite ideal for many situations – and it has a world of potential for the medical industry.
The medical industry is always growing and innovating. New technologies need the best composite materials, and carbon fiber is one such. Lightweight, durable materials are needed to replace dated metal standards.
Keep reading as we discuss just five of the possible uses for composites like carbon fiber in the medical industry.
1. Implants in the Medical Industry
Implants range from heart monitors to pacemakers. Implants need to be small, lightweight, and durable. Carbon fiber does all of this, in addition to another big one: it’s biocompatible.
Biocompatibility is essential, otherwise, the body will violently reject any foreign material. Carbon fiber can be inside the body for years without triggering any immune response.
2. Prosthetic Limbs
Carbon fiber is also an excellent candidate for prosthetic limbs. It gives needed strength and density while being lightweight for an easy-to-use limb. Fast production times make it ideal for prototyping and bespoke jobs.
Prosthetic limbs are all custom. Making it easier to produce them will be a boon for industry professionals.
3. Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs have to be durable and long-lasting. The only way to do this is to make them with steel or titanium–tough, but heavy, metals. Carbon fiber gives the same strength as steel, but in a much lighter package.
This makes a wheelchair easier to carry, easier to store, and easier to ride. Wheelchair users won’t get fatigued as quickly, either. Since carbon fiber is eco-friendly, there’s no harm in replacing it.
4. Matrices for Cell Regeneration
Sometimes, the body cannot heal itself as a result of a large, traumatic wound. The only solution is to provide some sort of scaffolding over which new cells can grow.
Carbon fiber may have a promising future as a matrix to aid this re-growth. Fresh cells can rebuild themselves on a carbon fiber matrix framework until a doctor removes the scaffold.
5. Skeletal Implants
After surgery, doctors may need to screw or bolt bones into position. These metal pieces are heavy and can lead to complications later on down the line. Carbon fiber may serve as a substitute for some of these materials.
Bone screws, spinal cages, and spinal discs may all one day have carbon fiber replacements. Therefore, for the aforementioned reasons, these composite materials are ideal candidates for wear-resistant roles in bodily implantation.
Find Composite Medical Materials With SMI Composites
Carbon fiber is something of a wonder material, most of all because it works to serve such a wide variety of niches. The medical industry stands to benefit from implementing composite implants and medical devices. Carbon fiber has many unique characteristics, such as bio-compatibility, that make it a tough competition for existing materials.
SMI Composites is an industry leader in composite manufacturing, especially carbon fiber. So, request a quote today to see how this wonder material can benefit your particular need.
