8 - Alfa and doum fiber-based composite materials for different applications

Abstract

In the recent years, natural fiber composite materials have become very important. They have been used in many industries such as automotive, aerospace, building and construction, and furniture industries. However, their applications are limited mainly to semi- and nonstructural components due to their inherently inferior mechanical properties such as strength and stiffness, which are generally very dominant in conventional fiber composites (glass and carbon fibers). Many different types of natural fiber composites, especially plant-based fiber composites, have been developed and tested. However, natural fiber composites also suffer from several drawbacks such high moisture absorption, poor wettability, weak interfacial bonding, inability to withstand high load, application is limited to semi- and nonstructural components, and unproven manufacturing technology. The major problem in using natural fiber composites is the interfacial bonding between hydrophilic fibers and hydrophobic polymer matrix. The problem can be solved by treating the fibers using various established methods such as alkali treatment, silane coupling agent, and compatibilizing agent. Two different Moroccan natural fibers (alfa and doum fibers) were used to reinforce PP. The effect of fiber treatment and typos on the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of composite materials was investigated. At the end of this chapter, a section on natural fiber composite applications is included to address this issue.