Influence of different resins on Physico-Mechanical properties of hybrid fiber reinforced polymer composites used in human prosthetics

Abstract

Aim of the study is to use natural and synthetic fibers to fabricate a prosthetic limb. Conventionally, natural fibers are not used for prosthesis. However, synthetic fibers such as Carbon fiber, Kevlar fiber and the Glass fiberare extensively in use as reinforcement in the manufacturing of prosthesis. In this paper the influence of different resin on physico-mechanical properties of hybrid fiber reinforced polymer composites were observed.Composites for prosthetic limb were manufactured with constant 5 wt% glass fiberhybridised with varied jute and grewiaoptiva loading (2.5 wt%, 5 wt% and 7.5 wt% each) reinforced based epoxy, vinyl ester and polyester matrix.Results show that the strength and hardness get improved as the ratio of natural fiber increases.The highest tensile, flexural,were obtained forepoxy-basedhybrid composite at 7.5 wt%, vinylester based hybrid composite at 5 wt% samples E3, V2, E3 and E2 respectively. In addition, both Impact energy and hardness were observed to be maximum for epoxy based hybrid composites at 7.5 wt% and 5 wt% respectively. Results also reveal that 5 wt% glass fiber (fixed), 10 wt% natural fibre with epoxy is the best composition among fabricated samples followed by the vinyl ester composite ofthe same composition. As evidence, TOPSIS results also convey the best composition among the fabricated composites.