ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Development and characterization of hybrid Kender-F fibre and collagen toughened epoxy composites

M. Neela Harish, J. Sofia Bobby, P. G. Kuppusamy, and C. L. Annapoorani

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Easwari Engineering College, Chennai, India

E-mail: m_neela@hotmail.com

Received: 27 April 2026  Accepted: 20 May 2026

Abstract:

This study introduces a novel biohybrid composite system by integrating silane-treated collagen biopolymer with Kender-F hybrid fibers (60% hemp and 40% flax) in an epoxy matrix, specifically engineered for prosthetic structural applications. Unlike conventional natural fiber composites, the present work uniquely combines a protein-based biopolymer with silane-modified hybrid lignocellulosic fibers to simultaneously enhance interfacial bonding, toughness, and multifunctional durability. Five composite systems (M, MSC0, MSC1, MSC2, and MSC3) were fabricated and systematically evaluated for mechanical (ASTM D3039 tensile, ASTM D790 flexural, ASTM D256 impact, ASTM D2240 hardness), tribological (ASTM G99), water absorption (ASTM D570), and flammability behavior (ASTM D635 and UL-94).The incorporation of silane-treated collagen significantly improved load transfer efficiency and interfacial adhesion, resulting in enhanced structural integrity. Among all composites, MSC2 (3 vol.% collagen) demonstrated the optimum stiffness–toughness balance, achieving a tensile strength of 152 MPa, flexural strength of 168 MPa, impact strength of 4.6 J, and Shore-D hardness of 83, along with the highest density of 1.31 g/cm3. In contrast, MSC3 (5 vol.% collagen) exhibited superior functional performance with the lowest specific wear rate (0.013 mm³/N·m), reduced coefficient of friction (0.25), decreased flame propagation rate (4.92 mm/min), and stable, non-dripping behavior under UL-94 conditions.The findings reveal a synergistic effect between collagen biopolymer and silane-treated Kender-F fibers, enabling simultaneous improvement in mechanical strength, wear resistance, moisture stability, and flame retardancy. This multifunctional optimization distinguishes the proposed composite from existing natural fiber systems and demonstrates its strong potential for advanced prosthetic components requiring high strength, durability, and safety.

Keywords: Hybrid fiber; Collagen; Mechanical strength; Human prosthetic application

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-05091-y

Chemical Papers 80 (10) 11791–11804 (2026)