Carbon fibers and their use in orthotics and prosthetics

Uvod: Ogljikova vlakna uporabljamo kot ojačitveni material v polimernih kompozitih. Pridobivamo jih na različne načine, zaradi svojih lastnosti pa so nepogrešljivi v letalski, ladijski, vesoljski, športni in strojni industriji, nenazadnje pa tudi v ortotiki in protetiki, predvsem z namenom zmanjševanja mase in večanja trdnosti ortotičnega oziroma protetičnega pripomočka. V primerjavi z ostalimi termoplastičnimi materiali so polimernimi kompoziti, ojačeni z ogljikovimi vlakni precej dražji. Namen: Namen diplomskega dela je pregled literature na področju polimernih kompozitov, ojačenih z ogljikovimi vlakni, ter določitev prednosti in slabosti le-teh v primerjavi s kompoziti, ojačenimi z drugimi vlakni pri uporabi v ortotiki in protetiki. Metode dela: Uporabljena je bila deskriptivna metoda dela s študijem domače in tuje literature. Uporabili smo različne podatkovne baze, kot so: Springer Link, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Sage publication, Google Scholar in Cobiss. Rezultati: Za izbiro optimalnih materialov za ortoze in proteze upoštevamo njihove lastnosti, kot so gostota, trdnost, vzdržljivost, biokompatibilnost in druge. Razprava in zaključek: Z uporabo ogljikovih vlaken zagotovimo manjšo maso, manjšo debelino in večjo trdnost protetičnega ležišča v primerjavi z neojačenimi termoplastičnimi materiali. Pomembno je posvečanje pozornosti v raziskave na področju uporabe ogljikovih vlaken v ortotiki in protetiki, predvsem zaradi izboljšanja posameznega ortotičnega ali protetičnega pripomočka.Introduction: Carbon fibers are used as reinforcing material in polymer composites. They are obtained in various ways, and due to their properties they are indispensable in the aerospace, marine, space, sports, and engineering industries, as well as in orthotics and prosthetics, mainly with the aim of reducing the weight and increasing the rigidity of the orthotic or prosthetic device. Compared to other thermoplastic materials, carbon-reinforced polymer composites are much more expensive. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to review the literature in the field of polymer composites reinforced with carbon fibers, and to determine their advantages and disadvantages for use in orthotics and prosthetics compared to composites reinforced with other fibers. Methods: A descriptive methodology was used by studying national and international literature. Various databases were utilized such as: Springer Link, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Sage publication, Google Scholar and Cobiss. Results: When selecting the optimal materials for orthoses and prostheses, their properties, such as density, strength, durability, biocompatibility and others must be taken into account. Discussion and conclusion: The use of carbon fibers in prosthetic sockets ensures lesser weight and thickness, and greater rigidity compared to non-reinforced thermoplastic materials. It is important to keep an eye on the research in the field of carbon fiber use in orthotics and prosthetics, with the aim of improving individual orthotic or prosthetic device