Characterization of a prosthetic foot composite materials using a new filler material "KENAF"

• Main Authors: Hassan, Ahmed K., Jweeg, Muhsin J., Almudhaffar, Mohammed M.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Composite materials; Feet; Fiberglass; Heels; Kenaf; Laminar composites; Mechanical properties; Prostheses; Strain energy; Tensile stress; Tensile tests
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0131454

Below knee (BK) prosthetic foot is subjected to different stresses through gait cycles due to heel striking, dorsiflexion, and toe-off, which results in tension and compression stresses on the foot at walking. The specialists have to set up their designs on the sufferance stresses levels instead of allowable stresses. The purpose of this work is to decide the optimum of the lamontaes sequence to satisfy the amputees requirement to achieve the daily activities.. Nowadays, laminated composite materials are used in rehabilitation centres because they can withstand high stresses and are lightweight and relatively cheap. In this work, four sequences were suggested to test them to choose the most proper sequence. These sequences were (2 perlon,2 carbon, 1perlon,2fiberglass,2 perlon.), (2 perlon, 1 carbon, 1 perlon, 1 carbon, 2 perlon.), (2 perlon, 3 carbon, 1 perlon,3 fiberglass, 2 perlon.),And (4 people, two carbon, 1 perlon, 2fibreglass, 4 perlon.)(1). New material was presented to improve the mechanical properties of prosthetic foot sequences—this material is known as KENAF (K). Tensile test, impact, and 3 point bending were made on the new sequence. Results show a modification in ultimate stress increment of about 25%, and the impact energy raised about 1.5 J. The strain also was increased too, which means higher strain energy per unit volume.