STRESS ANALYSIS OF EXTERNAL FIXATOR BASED ON STAINLESS STEEL AND COMPOSITE MATERIAL

This paper describes the stress analysis of devices for external fixation based on composite materials and stainless steel, which was performed numerically in the software CATIA V5 and which results are verified experimentally. The aim of this paper is to explore the possibility of introducing composite materials in the construction of the connecting rod fixator comparing values of displacement, principal and von Mises stresses at characteristic points structure. We investigated constructional performance of external fixator with a connecting rod formed from composite materials, and other components of external fixator formed from stainless steel. CAD model of external fixator was made in the software system CATIA V5. Also, in the same software was conducted structural analysis of external fixator under axial compression, and results were compared with experimental test. Finally, in concluding observations, we noted some advantages and disadvantages of the application of composite materials at the external fixator.