This module gives the student a foundation in the application of biomaterials in medical devices. The student is given a broad introduction to plastics, ceramics and in depth delivery on composites materials. It also aims to provide the student with further understanding of the relationship between microstructure and associated properties of polymer bio-materials, modelling of plastics using mechanical models, and use of creep curves.
Properties of Natural Materials: In-vivo versus In vitro properties. Tissue constituents. Properties of Collagen and Elastin. Mechanical properties of bone, muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Viscoelastic models of material behaviour.
Creep Curves & Viscoelastic Polymers: Polymer systems, effects of crystallinity & stereoisomerisms in polymers. Mechanical properties of plastics, elastic & viscoelastic behaviour, Kelvin-Voigt & Maxwell Models.
Long & Short Term Testing of Polymers, Compliance Design of Plastics: Long & short term testing of polymers, use creep curves in plastics, design methods for plastics using deformation data, residence & relaxation times.
Boltzmann’s Superposition Principle: Boltzmann’s Superposition Principle & application.
Composite Materials: Composite materials, reinforcements & matrices, Rule of Mixtures.
Fibre Reinforced Composites: Fibre reinforcement, predicting properties & characteristics of composites. Laminar and Macroscopic composite materials & applications.
Deformation Processes: Slip systems, Schmid's Law, Strengthening Mechanisms, Hall-Petch, Strain Hardening, Bauschinger Effect, Cold Working, Residual Stresses & Annealing
