Computational Analysis and Optimization of Polymer-Based Ankle-Foot Orthoses

In this study, three main materials, polypropylene (PP), carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), and thermoplastic elastometers. This work aims to offer a computational evaluation of the mechanical and thermal performance of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). A thorough three-dimensional (3D) model of th...

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Main Authors: Rusul Salah Hadi, Hala Mahmood Kadhim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Advances in Polymer Technology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/adv/3276074
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author Rusul Salah Hadi
Hala Mahmood Kadhim
author_facet Rusul Salah Hadi
Hala Mahmood Kadhim
author_sort Rusul Salah Hadi
collection DOAJ
description In this study, three main materials, polypropylene (PP), carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), and thermoplastic elastometers. This work aims to offer a computational evaluation of the mechanical and thermal performance of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). A thorough three-dimensional (3D) model of the AFO was built, and meshing with more than 5000 components was executed to guarantee that the simulation is correct under temperature and fatigue stress conditions. Whereas PP and TPEs have ultimate tensile strength (UTS) values of 32 and 20 MPa, respectively, CFRP boasts the highest mechanical strength with a UTS of 340 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 25 GPa. With its greatest modulus of elasticity, CFRP shows the best mechanical strength among the materials. Although TPEs showed notable distortion, thermal simulations showed that CFRP kept dimensional stability under heat. CFRP improved fatigue life by more than 30%, compared to PP and TPEs. CFRP is thus the substance most suitable for usage under high degrees of stress over a long length of time. Under physiological stresses, the enhanced general structural stability and 27% reduction in peak stress from the optimal design are guaranteed. These results underline the need for choosing composite materials in terms of enhancing the performance of AFOs as well as their lifetime and heat resistance in orthopedic uses. This guarantees the orthosis keeps its structural integrity and fit throughout usage, therefore improving patient comfort and functional support.
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spelling doaj-art-3e398150d067491e812d32cbb0dfafb22025-08-20T03:06:13ZengWileyAdvances in Polymer Technology1098-23292025-01-01202510.1155/adv/3276074Computational Analysis and Optimization of Polymer-Based Ankle-Foot OrthosesRusul Salah Hadi0Hala Mahmood Kadhim1University of TechnologyUniversity of DiyalaIn this study, three main materials, polypropylene (PP), carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP), and thermoplastic elastometers. This work aims to offer a computational evaluation of the mechanical and thermal performance of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). A thorough three-dimensional (3D) model of the AFO was built, and meshing with more than 5000 components was executed to guarantee that the simulation is correct under temperature and fatigue stress conditions. Whereas PP and TPEs have ultimate tensile strength (UTS) values of 32 and 20 MPa, respectively, CFRP boasts the highest mechanical strength with a UTS of 340 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 25 GPa. With its greatest modulus of elasticity, CFRP shows the best mechanical strength among the materials. Although TPEs showed notable distortion, thermal simulations showed that CFRP kept dimensional stability under heat. CFRP improved fatigue life by more than 30%, compared to PP and TPEs. CFRP is thus the substance most suitable for usage under high degrees of stress over a long length of time. Under physiological stresses, the enhanced general structural stability and 27% reduction in peak stress from the optimal design are guaranteed. These results underline the need for choosing composite materials in terms of enhancing the performance of AFOs as well as their lifetime and heat resistance in orthopedic uses. This guarantees the orthosis keeps its structural integrity and fit throughout usage, therefore improving patient comfort and functional support.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/adv/3276074
spellingShingle Rusul Salah Hadi
Hala Mahmood Kadhim
Computational Analysis and Optimization of Polymer-Based Ankle-Foot Orthoses
Advances in Polymer Technology
title Computational Analysis and Optimization of Polymer-Based Ankle-Foot Orthoses
title_full Computational Analysis and Optimization of Polymer-Based Ankle-Foot Orthoses
title_fullStr Computational Analysis and Optimization of Polymer-Based Ankle-Foot Orthoses
title_full_unstemmed Computational Analysis and Optimization of Polymer-Based Ankle-Foot Orthoses
title_short Computational Analysis and Optimization of Polymer-Based Ankle-Foot Orthoses
title_sort computational analysis and optimization of polymer based ankle foot orthoses
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/adv/3276074
work_keys_str_mv AT rusulsalahhadi computationalanalysisandoptimizationofpolymerbasedanklefootorthoses
AT halamahmoodkadhim computationalanalysisandoptimizationofpolymerbasedanklefootorthoses