Mechanical properties of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites

Abstract

During the last few years, natural fibres have received much more attention than ever before from the research community all over the world. These natural fibres offer a number of advantages over traditional synthetic fibres. In the present communication, a study on the synthesis and mechanical properties of new series of green composites involving Hibiscus sabdariffa fibre as a reinforcing material in urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin based polymer matrix has been reported. Static mechanical properties of randomly oriented intimately mixed Hibiscus sabdariffa fibre reinforced polymer composites such as tensile, compressive and wear properties were investigated as a function of fibre loading. Initially urea-formaldehyde resin prepared was subjected to evaluation of its optimum mechanical properties. Then reinforcing of the resin with Hibiscus sabdariffa fibre was accomplished in three different forms: particle size, short fibre and long fibre by employing optimized resin. Present work reveals that mechanical properties such as tensile strength, compressive strength and wear resistance etc of the urea-formaldehyde resin increases to considerable extent when reinforced with the fibre. Thermal (TGA/DTA/DTG) and morphological studies (SEM) of the resin and biocomposites have also been carried out.

Physical, Chemical and Mechanical Properties ofHibiscus sabdariffaFiber/Polymer Composite

“…A review of the has literature revealed that very little work has been done on the effective utilization of Hibiscus sabdariffa fibers as reinforcing material in polymer composites [5][6][7][8][9][10]. In the present work, therefore, we have reported some of our investigations on mechanical, morphological, thermal, and swelling behaviors of Hibiscus sabdariffa fiber-reinforced resorcinol-formaldehyde polymer matrix-based composites.…”

“…Due to the wide variety of polymer matrices and reinforcement materials available, the design possibilities for the fabrication of polymer composites are unlimited [5][6][7]. Natural fiber reinforced composites have considerable potential to replace conventional materials like metal in structural and nonstructural applications, especially in the furniture industry [8][9][10][11]. The matrix, often a polymeric material, surrounds the reinforcement and keeps it in place.…”

Study of Sound Absorption Coefficients and Characterization of Rice Straw Stem Fibers Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

“…The measurements were made at ambient conditions. The mechanical behavior of composites was greatly affected by the distribution and orientation of the reinforcing fibers, uniformity of lignocellulosic material spread in a polymeric matrix, the interface region, the nature of the fiber matrix interface, and the distribution and orientation of the reinforcing fibers (Singha and Thakur 2008). The interfaces played an important role in the physical and mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites.…”

Cellulose Nanofiber for Eco-friendly Polymer Nanocomposites

“…For instance, it has been used for reinforcement in urea formaldehyde resin-based composite which also suggested that Hibiscus sabdariffa fibre has immense scope in the fabrication of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites for vast number of industrial applications (Singha and Thakur 2008a). The graft copolymerization of Hibiscus sabdariffa also have been found to be more moisture resistant and also showed better chemical and thermal resistance ).…”