Composites of Polymer Blends and Their Applications Using Natural Fibres: A Review

Abstract

Study on new composite materials in engineering products with promising physical and mechanical properties has been considered as one of the fields of concern in recent decades. Strength, hardness and fatigue properties make engineering structural more flexible. They are extensively used in the aerospace industry, mechanical engineering applications and parts, electronic packaging, vehicle and aircraft structures, process industry equipment, as well as in biomedical equipment. Disposing of composite wastes however, are very difficult because of its structure and compositions. Hence, composite materials recycling has become one of the major measures of the future. This study seeks to analyse the present state of engineering plastics using natural fibers in their properties and manufacturing techniques. The effects of various chemical treatments on natural fibres’ mechanical and thermal properties have been studied in strengthening thermosetting and thermoplastics composites. The mix ratio of polymer waste used from the industry sector with natural fiber is expected to rise in the future, thus issues regarding recycling need to be tackled. It concluded that chemically treated natural fibre improved the adhesion between fibre surface and polymer matrix, which gradually increased the properties of natural fibres incorporated composites.

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“…For example, authors M. Huda et al (2008) and A. Mohd et al (2021) conducted chemical treatment of the natural fibers surface using silanes or alkali. This provides moisture content regulation and mechanical characteristics improvement of developed biocomposites based on polylactic acid (PLA) matrix compared to biocomposites containing untreated fibers.…”

An Experimental Investigation on Melt Flow Index and Water Absorption of rHIPS/ABS/Kenaf Composite

“…Since there are many applications that must be produced in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, much effort has been made to provide biodegradable and environmentally friendly materials for the upcoming generation of composite materials [1]. Many types of natural fibres, such as palm, flax, hemp, jute, straw, wood, rice husk, wheat, barley, oats, rye, bamboo, sugarcane, grass reeds, kenaf, ramie, sisal, coir, banana fibre, etc., have recently been explored for use in plastics [2]. Kenaf is one of these fibres that attracts particular interest because it is a non-wood plant fibre that can be used as reinforcement or filler in the polymer matrix.…”

Thermoplastic Hybrid Composites with Wood Fibers: Bond Strength of Back-Injected Structures

“…While natural fibers have long been used in thermoplastic matrices and hybrid processes, wood fibers have not yet been researched for hybrid processes such as back-injection molding. Recent review articles do not mention hybrid processing methods or back-injection of wood fiber composites [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…There are some conference papers and articles (none peer-reviewed) on the topic of hybrid processes in this context, but no scientific peer-reviewed publications [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ]. In recent review articles, hybrid processing methods such as back-injection molding of natural fiber or wood fiber composites are not mentioned [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. One industry-led project dealing with the topic of hybrid composites was the FENAFA project (completed in 2014).…”