Abstract
The present study explores the mechanical, tribological, thermal, and moisture-resistant performance of a novel hybrid polyester composite reinforced with Desmostachya bipinnata fiber and biocarbon derived from Clitoria ternatea pod shells, aimed at potential prosthetic applications. The novelty of this work lies in the combined utilization of an underexplored natural fiber and waste-derived biocarbon, together with silane surface modification using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (3-APTMS), to achieve enhanced interfacial bonding and property optimization. Biocarbon was produced through pyrolysis at 800°C and subsequently ball-milled to a particle size of 100 µm. Both the fiber and biocarbon were silane-treated to improve compatibility with the polyester matrix. Mechanical testing revealed that Specimen D, containing 3 vol. % silane-treated biocarbon, exhibited superior mechanical performance, achieving a hardness of 85 Shore-D, tensile strength of 136 MPa, flexural strength of 160 MPa, and compressive strength of 145 MPa. In contrast, Specimen E, prepared with 5 vol. % silane-treated biocarbon, demonstrated the best functional performance, with a low specific wear rate of 0.014 mm3/Nm, thermal conductivity of 0.44 W/mK, and water absorption of 0.47%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis corroborated these findings, revealing reduced resin voids, improved fiber–filler–matrix adhesion, and a relatively uniform distribution of biocarbon particles, with localized aggregation observed at higher filler loadings. The results highlight the critical role of controlled biocarbon content and effective interfacial bonding in tailoring composite performance. Overall, the study demonstrates that these lightweight, sustainable, and mechanically robust polyester composites possess significant potential for prosthetic material applications.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.