Innovative Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene for Enhanced Manufacturing of Lower-Limb Prosthetic Sockets

Polypropylene prosthetic sockets are widely used in developing nations due to their low cost and ease of manufacture, encouraged by the ICRC.However, mechanical deterioration and creep reduce these sockets' performance.In this work, innovative polypropylene composites reinforced with chopped carbon fibers (5%-20%) are made using enhanced mixing and extrusion.The 15% carbon fiber composite proved superior to typical polypropylene in tensile testing, with an ultimate tensile strength of 67.3 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 2451 MPa.Numerical analysis showed better safety and deformation resistance.The safety factor increased by 139%, from 1.9 to 4.55, demonstrating the reinforced socket's superior longevity and load-bearing capabilities.Finally, adding 15% chopped carbon fibers to polypropylene makes prosthetic sockets cost-effective and high-performance, making them excellent for resource-limited environments.