Innovation in Orthotics: Development of Technical Textiles from Bamboo Cellulose

This study evaluated the relevance of using bamboo cellulose (BC) compounded with resin (R) for the manufacture of medical orthoses (BCO). A 22-factorial screening experimental design was used, with two experimental factors and six response variables. Three polymer composites (PC) were prepared: S1 (BC 40%, R 60%), S2 (BC 30%, R 70%), and S3 (BC 20%, R 80%), which were molded under a pressure of 10.5 kg in 25 × 5 cm male-female dies, with an internal space of 2 mm, at 20 °C for 24 h. The mechanical properties evaluated included tensile strength (RTRAC), ball penetration resistance (RPEBOL), puncture resistance (RPUNZ), and their corresponding extensions (ETRAC, EPEBOL, and EPUNZ). Mass, tensile strength, elongation, punching resistance, and penetration were determined in accordance with ISO 3801, ISO 9073-3, EN 388, and ASTM D3787 standards. Statistical analysis was performed using Statgraphics Centurion and Past 4.13 software. The results showed that increasing the resin content and decreasing the bamboo cellulose significantly improved the mechanical performance of the material. The S3 samples (BC 20%, R 80%) had the highest mechanical strength values, with a tensile strength of (1049.34 ± 85.57 N; n = 5), representing an increase of 398.60% over the base formulation. Likewise, increases of 92.25% in puncture resistance (24.12 ± 29.91 N; n = 5) and 196% in ball penetration resistance (323.98 ± 1.39 N; n = 5) were recorded. Tensile elongation showed an increase of 228% (7.55 ± 5.01%; n = 5). In the S2 samples (BC 30%, R 70%), the greatest increase was observed in the puncture elongation, with a value of 16.33 ± 1.25 mm (n = 5), corresponding to an increase of 59.78%. Meanwhile, the S1 samples (BC 40%, R 60%) exhibited the highest ball penetration extension value (34.07 ± 1.61 mm; n = 5), while the S2 and S3 formulations recorded decreases of 2.11% and 2.23%, respectively. Additionally, thickness, weight, and density showed a strong correlation with each other (p > 0.05). Overall, the results indicate that the combination of bamboo cellulose and epoxy resin is a sustainable and effective alternative for the development of medical orthoses, due to the significant improvement in their mechanical properties, which supports their application in orthotic devices based on sustainable biomaterials.