Hybrid Laminates Reinforced with Natural and Synthetic Fibers: Experimental Characterization and Preliminary Finite Element Assessment for Prosthetic Applications

Four configuration laminates made of flax, glass, and basalt were fabricated via vacuum-assisted hand lay-up with added weight and tested under ASTM D3039 and D790. The flax–glass–flax lay-up exhibited the highest tensile strength and flexural strength. Orthotropic elastic properties were determined from remanufactured 90°-rotated specimens. A hexahedral-meshed finite element model using these inputs under a 5256 N load predicted the stress and strain within 1% and 5% of the experimental values. These findings demonstrate that flax–glass hybrids offer mechanical reliability, sustainability, and affordability for next-generation prosthetic applications.