Recent Development in Natural Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Abstract

This review article describes the recent developments of natural fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites. Natural fibers are low-cost, recyclable, and eco-friendly materials. Due to eco-friendly and bio-degradability characteristics of these natural fibers, they are considered as strong candidates to replace the conventional glass and carbon fibers. The chemical, mechanical, and physical properties of natural fibers have distinct properties; depending upon the cellulosic content of the fibers which varies from fiber to fiber. The mechanical properties of composites are influenced mainly by the adhesion between matrix and fibers. Chemical and physical modification methods were incorporated to improve the fiber—matrix adhesion resulting in the enhancement of mechanical properties of the composites. The most important natural fibers are jute, flax, and coir and their novel processing technics to develop natural fiber reinforced composites are also described.

Polyhydroxybutyrate Composites with Random Mats of Sisal and Coconut Fibers

“…Despite having low processing temperatures, high sensitivity to environmental effects, mechanical properties variable and modest when compared to the high-performance fibers (glass, carbon and aramid) 29,30 , natural fibers provide low-density materials, less abrasion and wear of equipment and molds when procesed 29,31,32 . Among the natural fibers can include fibers extracted from the sisal plant and coconut husk.…”

Mechanical Properties of Cellulose-filled Epoxy Hybrid Composites Reinforced with Alkali-treated Hemp Fiber

“…38 Composite fabrication using double weave and non woven hemp mats (150 mm× 150 mm×1 mm) was carried out in a square mould of volume 350×350×3 mm. 3 Initially, the mould was polished and mould releasing agent was applied on its surface. Resin, hardener mixture and synthetic cellulose powder (10:1:4.3) are spilled for every layer.…”

“…5 The various advantages of natural fibers over manmade glass and carbon fibers are low cost, low density, comparable specific tensile properties, non-abrasive to the equipments, non-irritation to the skin, reduced energy consumption, less health risk, renewability, recyclability and biodegradability. 3 These composites materials are suitably applicable for aerospace, leisure, construction, sport, packaging and automotive industries, especially for the last mentioned application. 3,6 However, the certain drawback of natural fibers/polymers composites is the incompatibility between the hydrophilic natural fibers and the hydrophobic thermoplastic matrices.…”

“…3 These composites materials are suitably applicable for aerospace, leisure, construction, sport, packaging and automotive industries, especially for the last mentioned application. 3,6 However, the certain drawback of natural fibers/polymers composites is the incompatibility between the hydrophilic natural fibers and the hydrophobic thermoplastic matrices. This leads to undesirable properties of the composites.…”

“…It is therefore necessary to modify the fiber surface by employing chemical modifications to improve the adhesion between fiber and matrix. 3 There are many factors that can influence the performance of natural fiber reinforced composites. Apart from the hydrophilic nature of fiber, the properties of the natural fiber reinforced composites can also be influenced by fiber content/ Polymer(Korea), Vol.…”