Natural Fiber Composites

Abstract

Recently, the preservation of natural resources and the strict environmental regulations have forced the composite industry to find alternative fiber reinforcements and resin systems that are ecofriendly to produce compatible composites. Therefore, the need for natural fiber-reinforced composites has never been as prevalent as it currently is. Natural fibers offer renewability, biodegradability, abundance, cost savings, and low specific gravity when compared to synthetic fibers such as glass and carbon. Though the strength of natural fibers is not as great as glass or carbon, the specific properties are comparable. Currently natural fiber composites have two main issues that need to be addressed: resin compatibility and water absorption. Thus, natural fiber composites are the main subject in this special issue. The authors have focused on the following topics.In the paper entitled "Injection moulded biocomposites from oat hull and polypropylene/polylactide blend: fabrication and performance evaluation" by J. P. Reddy et al., oat hull fibre reinforced polypropylene (PP)/polylactide (PLA) based biocomposites were fabricated; their process engineering and performances were evaluated. The effect of ethylene propylene-g-maleic anhydride (EP-g-Ma) compatibilizer on mechanical properties of 30 wt% oat hull reinforced PP/PLA (90/10) blend composites was investigated. Thermal degradation parameters of the oat hull fibre were determined using thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of fibre reinforcement on crystallinity of oat hull fibre reinforced PP/PLA composites was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermomechanical properties of the composites were analyzed by dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The interfacial bonding between the fibre and the matrix was examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Significant improvement in tensile strength (40%) and flexural strength (46%) was observed with the addition of EP-g-Ma compatibilizer. DSC analysis of oat hull fibre reinforced composites showed an increase in the crystallization temperature (Tc) due to the nucleation effect of oat hull fibre. DMA results revealed that the storage modulus of PP/PLA/oat hull fibre composites was higher compared to PP/PLA blend throughout the investigated range of temperature.In the paper entitled "Studies of moisture absorption and release behaviour of akund fiber" by X. Yang et al., an effort has been made to study the moisture absorption and release behaviour of akund fiber and its mechanical performance at relative air humidity ranging from 0% to 100%. The gain and loss in moisture content in akund fiber due to water absorption and release were measured as a function of exposure time under the environment, in which temperature is 20 ∘ C and humidity is 65%. The regression equations of the absorption and release process were established. From the study, it was found that the water absorption curve of akund is similar with those of cotton and kapok, and its water absorption ability is better than those of cotton an...

Mechanical properties of woven jute–glass hybrid-reinforced epoxy composite

“…The density of composite materials in terms of volume fraction is found out from the following equation (1).…”

“…However, their use is steadily increasing in many industrial corporations and also planning to use these materials in their products. 1 Natural fibers are renewable and biodegradable material and are largely available in the nature worldwide. 2 Pineapple leaf, 3 oil palm fiber, 4 hemp, sisal, jute, kapok, 5 jute, 6 rice husk, 7 bamboo, 8 and wood 9 are some natural fibers most commonly used as reinforcing materials in polymer composite industry.…”

Moisture absorption behavior and its effect on the mechanical properties of jute-reinforced epoxy composite

“…By properly controlling fiber percentage, orientation of fiber, and proper manufacturing technique, we can attain better strength, high strength to weight ratio, high modulus to weight ratio which is comparable to conventional materials apart from its superior properties like eco friendly, abundant availability. Potential applications of composite materials are in automobile industries, in space applications due to light weight, submarines, manufacturing of space and sea vehicles, swimming pools , etc. Other advantages of composite materials are that the properties can be tailored such that they can have more strength in direction of loading by proper stacking sequences.…”

Low Velocity Impact Assessment of Flax and Kevlar-Flax Fibre Reinforced Polymer Laminates Using Experimental and Numerical Methods

“…A rather unique criterion for fibre selection has recently emerged due to emphasis on environmental preservation. Recent push for sustainability and recyclability have pushed industries to find alternative and ecofriendly materials to produce compatible composites [1].…”