Development of Transfemoral Prosthetic Socket Utilizing Woven Raffia Palm Fibre-Groundnut Shell Powder Epoxy Hybrid Composite

Abstract: Transfemoral amputation, also known as above-knee amputation, is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a limb above the knee joint, such an individual requires a transfemoral prosthetic socket which accommodates the residual limb (stump) to enable the attachment of artificial limbs. In this research, a prototype transfemoral prosthetic socket was developed from raffia palm fibre-groundnut shell powder/epoxy hybrid composite using the hand lamination technique. Raffia palm fibre and groundnut shell powder were chemically treated with 0.1 mol NaOH solution at room temperature. Raffia palm fibre was weaved in 0/90o fibre orientation mat and the groundnut shell was crushed to powder of size 300 µm. The hybrid composite was developed by lamination lay-up technique. Three samples were laminated using 1-layer of woven raffia palm fibre and 1.9% of groundnut shell powder, 2-layers of woven raffia palm fibre and 3.8% of groundnut shell powder and 3-layers of woven raffia palm fibre and 5.7% of groundnut shell powder. Samples of the hybrid composite were characterized by subjecting them to fracture toughness test, impact resistance test, fatigue life test and compressive test. The results showed that 2-layers of woven raffia palm fibre and 3.8% of groundnut shell powder epoxy hybrid composite had optimum mechanical properties; fracture toughness 35.70 MPa, impact strength 18.04 MPa, fatigue life 1.3 ×103 cycles to failure at 600 MPa applied stress, the compressive strength in the composite was 13.73 MPa. Consequently, 2-layers of woven raffia palm fibre and 3.8% of groundnut shell powder was deployed in the lamination of prototype transfemoral prosthetic socket. Results of the finite element analysis (FEA) of prototype socket showed equivalent Von Mises stress maximum value of 26.661 MPa. The simulated total average deformation in the socket 54.79 mm. The maximum value of the maximum principal stress in the socket 13.936 MPa. The maximum value of the safety factor in the socket was 15. The simulated values confirm that the socket is optimized by use of natural fibres without compromising socket performance. Based on the results obtained from the research, it is recommended that 2-layer woven raffia palm fibre-groundnut shell/epoxy (2-layer woven RPF-GNS/Epoxy) hybrid composite be deployed for lamination of prosthetic sockets. Keywords: Transfemoral, Prosthetic socket, Raffia palm fibre, Groundnut shell particulate, Hybrid composite. Title: Development of Transfemoral Prosthetic Socket Utilizing Woven Raffia Palm Fibre-Groundnut Shell Powder Epoxy Hybrid Composite Author: Tile E. Sesugh, Nyior G. Bem, Gundu D. Terfa International Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Technology ISSN 2348-7593 (Online) Vol. 13, Issue 1, April 2025 - September 2025 Page No: 46-57 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 15-July-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15912974 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/development-of-transfemoral-prosthetic-socket-utilizing-woven-raffia-palm-fibre-groundnut-shell-powder-epoxy-hybrid-composite