RADIOLUCENT COMPOSITES PROVIDING HIGH RESISTANCE AGAINST STERILIZATION DECOMPOSITION
We present a study of radiolucent composite materials for use in medicine, providing suitable mechanical properties and high resistance against sterilization decomposition. The composites are composed of carbon (C), aramid or glass (R-glass) fabrics embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) matrix. The effect of multiple steam sterilization processes on degrading the mechanical properties, structural integrity and hydrolytic decomposition of the composites was verified. The radiolucency of the composites was also investigated.