Natural Fibers: Applications

Abstract

Fibers derived from bio-based sources such as vegetables and animal origin are termed as natural fibers. This definition includes all natural cellulosic fibers (cotton, jute, sisal, coir, flax, hemp, abaca, ramie, etc.) and protein-based fibers such as wool and silk. There are also man-made cellulose fibers (e.g., viscose rayon and cellulose acetate) that are produced with chemical procedures from pulped wood or other sources (cotton, bamboo). Natural fibers being cost effective and abundantly available yields high potential in various industrial and commercial applications such as in the interior applications of the passenger cars, panels for partition and false ceiling, partition boards, roof tiles, coir fibers in packaging, furniture applications, as insulating materials in low energy houses, geo-textiles for soil protection and erosion control, enhancing barrier properties, composites etc. Due to research and developmental work in modification and treatment methods of natural fibers, utilization of natural fibers has observed a significant growth in various applications. The chapter addresses the potential applications of natural fibers in various commercial sectors for the development of environment-friendly products with an aim to replace synthetic fibers or inorganic fillers with cost-effective and efficient products.

Reinforced Polymers with Natural Fiber

“…Botanical types are widely used to classify natural fibers. According to Rowell R. [25], this approach identifies five specific types of natural fibers: (i) bark fibers, such as jute, flax, hemp, rami, and kenaf; (ii) leaf fibers, such as banana, sisal, agave, and pineapple; (iii) seed fibers, such as coir, cotton, and kapok; (iv) grass and reed fibers, such as wheat, corn, and rice; and (v) other types, such as roots and wood. It is important to mention that some crops can produce more than one type of fiber.…”

Assessment of vegetable fiber-matrix adhesion and durability, in cement-based and polymer-based composite: Principles from literature review

“…• Aerospace (rudders, spoilers, airbrakes, engine fan blades, main wings) 35 ; • Automotive (dash-boards parts, doors panels, seat cushions) 36 ;…”

“…Vegetable fibers are used in fiber form (improvement of physico-chemical and thermal properties) or as a reinforcement (improvement of mechanical properties) in composites in various industries such as:• Sports (tennis boards) 35 ;• Medical (dental amalgams, bone fixation plates) 35 ;• Packaging materials (mobile boxes, beauty wraps) 35 ;• Musical instruments (guitar boards) 35 ;• Aerospace (rudders, spoilers, airbrakes, engine fan blades, main wings) 35 ;• Automotive (dash-boards parts, doors panels, seat cushions) 36 ;• Building (roofs, floors, insulating and building blocks) 37 ;• ……”

Valorization of Starch to Biobased Materials: A Review

“…Some scholars have also used melt extrusion with water as a blowing agent in the manufacturing of starch foams. Natural fibers (hemp, cellulose, cotton linter, sugarcane, and coconut) were added to the starch foam, resulting in a density reduction of up to 33%, decreased water absorption, and improved mechanical properties, depending on the fiber concentration and type [ 232 ].…”