Mechanical and Water Absorption Properties of Mercerized Banana Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composites for Sustainable Prosthetic Applications

Abstract

The demand for sustainable and cost-effective materials in prosthetic socket fabrication has stimulated interest in natural fiber-reinforced composites. This study aims to evaluate the mechanical and water absorption properties of mercerized banana fiber-reinforced polyester composites and assess their suitability for prosthetic applications. Additionally, it explores the application of novel modeling approaches, such as the Log-Square Root Linear Model, to analyze water absorption kinetics. Banana fibers were treated with 12.5% NaOH for 30 minutes to enhance mechanical performance by removing lignin and hemicellulose. Polyester composites were fabricated with varying fiber contents, and mechanical properties, including tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and hardness, as well as water absorption behavior, were systematically analyzed. FTIR spectroscopy was used to assess fiber-matrix bonding. Treated banana fibers exhibited a 2300% improvement in tensile strength and an 860% increase in tensile modulus. Composites with 15% fiber content demonstrated optimal mechanical performance, with a 632% increase in tensile strength and a 33.61% improvement in flexural modulus compared to pure polyester. FTIR analysis confirmed enhanced bonding at the fiber-matrix interface. Water absorption analysis showed that composites with 10–15% fiber content had the lowest water diffusion coefficients, providing an optimal balance between reinforcement and moisture resistance. Mercerized banana fiber-reinforced polyester composites exhibit significantly enhanced mechanical properties, reduced water absorption, and strong environmental advantages, highlighting their potential as sustainable alternatives for prosthetic socket fabrication.

Keywords: Banana fiber; mercerization; polyester; prosthetic; sockets