Global medical composite materials market to grow nearly 7% by 2020: report

Driven by increased demand for prosthetics and orthotics, the global medical composite materials market is forecast to grow 6.91% between 2016 and 2020, a new report said.

Despite their high tensile strength, carbon fibre and fiberglass are brittle and cannot be used as prosthetic socket materials, notes the Global Medical Composite Materials Market 2016-2020 report by Ireland-based research firm Research and Markets.

“This has resulted in the use of nylon, polyester and acrylic and epoxy resins in the manufacture of prosthetic and orthotic devices,” the report said. “The adhesive and mechanical properties of the resins and fibres influence the performance of these products.”

The emergence of lightweight and heat-resistant polymer composites as alternatives to metals and alloys will play a prominent role in market growth, the report also said. “Polymer matrix composites have been used in the manufacture of medical prostheses and implants over the last decade,” the report said. “These composites are divided into reinforced plastics and advanced composites.”

Advanced composites containing approximately 60% of resistant continuous fibres made of carbon, glass or aramid materials increasingly are being used in medical equipment such as surgical instruments, orthopedic products and biocompatible implants, the report noted.