Impact and Mechanical Properties Modifying for Below Knee Prosthesis Socket Laminations by using Natural Kenaf Fiber

Abstract

The main issue of this research to improve and develop the mechanical properties of the socket composite material for below-knee (BK) prosthesis; several composite materials were proposed, consisting of perlon, Kevlar and carbon fibers, and natural fibers were added as a new idea for the research. Making the theory calculations were for several layers of materials, by using mathematical model, to obtain the best lamination with and without kenaf by calculating the best modulus of elasticity and the best E/ρ ratio. So the experimental tests were carried out on the lamination with a total of 12 layers for thickness (4 mm) each of them, (Group G/withot kenaf) and (Group D/with kenaf). The experimental part included examining the samples by tensile test, bending test, impact test. The results of the tensile test results were for the first lamination and the second lamination for the ultimate tensile strength (134.47 MPa) and (187.39MPa) respectively. As for the elasticity modulus, it was as follows (16.78 GPa) without kenaf and (17.49 GPa) for kenaf lamination. Through the theoretical and experimental results, it was found that the use of natural kenaf fibers led to the improvement of the maximum tensile strength 39.35% and modulus of elasticity 4.23%. The impact resistance was improved by using kenaf by 8.8% due to its durability higher than perlon fiber.