Enhanced Flexural and Impact Properties of a Prosthetic Pylon Using Ramie and Carbon/Glass Hybrid Composites

Abstract

Prosthetic pylons are the columns that connect the prosthesis to the person’s body and play a vital role in providing stability, comfort, and functional performance to prosthetic users. Improving the properties of these columns contributes significantly to enhancing the user experience. The research aims to develop prosthetic pylons’ mechanical properties using natural and synthetic fibers. We could achieve these objectives by utilizing composite prosthetic pylon materials that replace conventional materials made of titanium, aluminum, or stainless steel. The vacuum method was used to produce specimens with polyester as the matrix and varying numbers of synthetic hybrid (carbon and glass) and natural (Ramie) fiber layers as reinforcing materials. The findings showed that the mechanical characteristics of laminated composites were significantly impacted by the kind and number of reinforcing layers. The results indicated that the samples made of two layers of synthetic hybrid (glass & carbon) fibers gave better properties in terms of flexural strength, flexural modulus, maximum shear stress, impact strength, and fracture toughness, which were 160 MPa, 7 GPa, 6.5 MPa, 35 kJ/m2, and 15 MPa·m1/2, respectively, compared to the samples made of three layers of ramie natural fiber, which were 86 MPa, 4 GPa, 5.5 MPa, 19 kJ/m2, and 9 MPa·m1/2, respectively. The effects of both materials yielded acceptable results and demonstrated their suitability for use as alternatives to certain metal materials that can cause fatigue, exhaustion, and discomfort to users.