-
Asked by Lúc Ó Dufaigh to Caoimhe, Colin, David, Katie, Lisa on 14 Nov 2014.
-
David Taylor answered on 14 Nov 2014:
Yes we mostly use metal but sometimes plastic or carbon fibre…it depends which part. They are made in pretty much the same way as other engineering components, but the materials have to be special, for example cobalt/chromium metals for artificial hip joints.
-
-
Katie Mahon answered on 17 Nov 2014:
Body parts on the outside can be made from loads of different materials. Old artificial limbs used be made from wood! Imagine having to sand & varnish your artificial leg every couple of years??
Nowadays they can be made from special plastic, and metal as well, especially if it’s able to move like the original arm or leg. Replacement body parts that go inside you body need to be special materials so that they don’t react badly with your muscles, veins & joints inside you.
-
Colin Keogh answered on 18 Nov 2014:
Metal is used a lot, but so are composites (like carbon fiber) & polymers (plastics). Each have their own benefits and disadvantages but the most important thing is that they are safe for use in the body, the they wont make you sick or make injuries worse.
Once the materials suits the purpose, and is safe to use in the body, its easy to make using normal machining processes used to make most products you could buy today.
-
Comments