Development of Natural Fiber-Based Aluminum Composites for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Applications

Abstract

Natural fiber mats, aluminum foil sheets, and epoxy resin have been compressed using a hydraulic compression molding press to fabricate hybrid composites. These hybrid composites consist of natural fiber-based shells and ultra-thin aluminum sheet core. Jute, Flax, and Kenaf have been the natural fibers used in fabricating these hybrid composites. Through natural fiber-based composites and aluminum sheets, the fabricated hybrid composites can show excellent mechanical properties and an exceptional electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding action. The natural fiber mat (shell material) shields the aluminum sheet, which avoids corrosion and contact with the atmosphere. The exceptional EMI shielding performance and excellent mechanical properties allow the newly fabricated hybrid composites to be used in the EMI protection fields and electric devices. In this study, the EMI shielding effectiveness, the tensile property and the flexural property of the hybrid composites have been examined.