Effects of Braiding Parameters on the Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Artificial Ligaments

Artificial ligaments (ALs), as important grafts for reconstructing the anterior cruciate ligament, often fail in rupture owing to inadequate mechanical properties and frictional wear in clinical practice. Braiding parameters affect the properties of ALs. Previous studies have been limited to investigating the effects of braiding parameters on the mechanical or tribological properties of ALs in isolation and lacked a comprehensive investigation into their combined or synergistic impact. Therefore, in this study, ALs with different braiding parameters are prepared, and mechanical and tribological indicators are integrated to conduct a synergistic investigation. The results show that as the braiding angle and number of layers decrease, the breaking strain increases, while the ultimate tensile force, elastic modulus, and yield force decrease. The number of spindles positively correlates with the mechanical and tribological performance of ALs.