Abstract:
By using a universal material testing machine and a multi-function data acquisition and analysis system to simulate the prosthetic socket-residual skin wearing interface under reciprocating sliding wear mode, the friction energy dissipations between two kinds of commonly used prosthetic socket material and skin interface were investigated by applying different tangential forces. The results show that with the increasing tangential forces, the elastic deformation of the tested skin, the difference in temperature before and after skin friction and the friction energy dissipation at the prosthetic socket-human skin interface all increased. The surface structure of the prosthetic socket material directly affected the wearing comfort of the prosthesis. Compared to the homemade socket materials, the imported socket material with the smaller surface roughness decreased the friction energy dissipation at the prosthetic socket-skin interface, alleviated skin heating and deformation, reduced the risk of skin injury and improved the suitabilityof prosthetic socket-skin interface.