Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Synthetic and Natural Fibers Composites for Application in Orthopedic Prosthetics

This study investigates the mechanical performance of hybrid epoxy composites reinforced with natural (jute) and synthetic (carbon and glass) fibers. Two hybrid laminates were fabricated: unidirectional carbon–woven glass (2UCF–2WGF/EPOXY) and unidirectional carbon–woven jute (2UCF–2WJF/EPOXY). Flexural tests revealed that the carbon–jute composite exhibited higher stiffness with a modulus of 69.12 GPa compared to 19.74 GPa for the carbon–glass system. Conversely, the carbon–glass composite demonstrated greater tensile modulus (5.07 GPa vs. 2.23 GPa) and hardness (37.55 HV vs. 20.37 HV), indicating better load transfer and surface resistance. These differences arise from fiber–matrix adhesion, fracture morphology, and energy absorption mechanisms observed in SEM analyses. The results emphasize that selecting suitable fiber combinations allows control over stiffness and strength balance. Such natural–synthetic hybrid composites present an environmentally sustainable approach for advanced structural and biomedical applications requiring optimized mechanical and functional performance.