Enhancing the quasi-static strength of prosthetic socket made from composite laminates via hybridisation: Experimental and numerical study

This study aims to develop composite laminates for the manufacture of prosthesis socket with enhanced mechanical performance. Layered hybridisation of fabrics (i.e. glass, carbon, and Kevlar fabrics) is used to manufacture hybrid composite laminates by resin infusion via vacuum bagging method. The response of these materials to compression loading is investigated by using compression-loading testes and the load-bearing ability was examined by tensile strength tests. Moreover, finite element analysis has been carried out by using the Abaqus software to predict the compressive failure load and damage failure modes for all sockets samples. Experimental results revealed that the hybrid laminates exhibited more stability and higher absorbing energy compared to non-hybrid laminates during compressive loading tests. Furthermore, the hybridisation of fabrics layers can play key role for improving the tensile strength properties of hybrid composite laminates compared to composite laminates without hybridisation. The numerical simulation results of compressive failure load and damage failure modes are in accordance with experimental results qualitatively as well as quantitatively.