Design, Synthesis and Mechanical Properties Evaluation of Transtibial Socket Connecting A Below-Knee Residual Limb To Prosthesis From Matured Plantain Pseudo Stem Fiber

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to design, synthesis and mechanical properties evaluation of transtibial socket connecting a below-knee residual limb to prosthesis from matured plantain pseudo stem sourced from Plantain farm in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State, Nigeria using every appropriate standard procedures. It was observed that chemical treatment of the plantain pseudo stem fibers led to significant decrease in fixed carbon content and sharp increase in cellulose content. The tensile strength of the fiber increase from 290.44 to as high as 393.42 N/m² after chemical treatments.  The tensile modulus, tensile toughness and tensile elongation were found to have increased significantly after mercerization of the fibers. The impact strength of 360kJ/m² was obtained for pure epoxy resin. The hardest composites were produced at 50% fiber loading which resulted in 98.129 MPa. At 50% fiber loading, the tensile strength was found to be optimum. The water absorption of the fiber matrix decreased after chemical treatments and further decreased after reinforcement with epoxy resin.  The findings suggest that agricultural waste-based biomaterials have the potential to offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and functional alternative to traditional prosthetic socket materials, contributing to the advancement of sustainable healthcare technologies.