Natural Fiber-reinforced Polymer Research Articles

Effects of fiber content and its chemical treatment on the mechanical properties of screw pine fiber reinforced vinyl ester composite

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites have several advantages over traditional composites. The chemical modification of natural fibers helps to develop polymer composites with better mechanical properties. In the present work, mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact strength of chopped Screw pine fiber reinforced vinyl ester composites have been evaluated under-treated conditions based on the volume fractions of Screw pine fibers. The fibers have been treated with 5% of NaOH solution for 1 h at room temperature. The hand lay-up method has been used to prepare composite plates at room temperature. The results revealed that mechanical properties of composites increased with the increase of the fiber content up to 35.57 vol% at both the untreated and treated conditions and then dropped. However, the modulus values have been increased continuously from the fiber content of 8.43 to 45.3 vol%. It was identified that the critical or optimum fiber content for better mechanical properties is 35.57 vol% for both the untreated and treated conditions. The percentage of improvement at every combination was obtained by comparing the composites prepared with the untreated and treated fibers. The fractured surface of the treated fiber composites was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the tensile properties are predicted using the Hirsch and Modified Bowyer and Bader model and compared with experimental values. The predicted results revealed that the Modified Bowyer and Bader model shows better conformity.

Mechanical and Acoustic Performance of Plantain (Musa Paradisiacal) Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Bio-Composite

ABSTRACT Natural fiber-reinforced polymer biocomposites are very attractive materials utilized for many applications owing to their high mechanical and acoustic properties. Research has projected that Natural fiber (NF) could possibly be a replacement for synthetic fiber in reinforced polymer composites due to low influence on the health of humans and environmental friendliness. Research has been enthusiastic on studying their mechanical properties, with little emphasis on enumerating the sound diminution behaviors. This research objective is to examine void content, impact strength, hardness, and the acoustic properties of plantain (Musa paradisiacal) fiber-reinforced biocomposites (PFB). Biocomposite with 5, 10, 15, and 20 (Wt. %) fiber content were fabricated. Impact, hardness, and void content increases as fiber content increases. The sound absorption coefficient shows improvement. Results suggest that PFB could be less-expensive, feasible, and ecologically superior alternatives to synthetic fiber composites for acoustic applications in areas like building architecture and automotive industries.

Effect of plasma surface modification on mineral fibers/thermoplastic composites

At present, research is actively being conducted into composite materials using natural fibers and thermoplastic resins that can serve as eco-friendly materials. However, the weak interfacial bonding shape between natural fibers and thermoplastic resins leads to low mechanical properties in the natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite. This study examined the usage of basalt fibers (BFs) and polypropylene (PP) to address this issue. Plasma surface modification (PSM) was performed on the surface of the BF to improve the interfacial bonding force between the fiber and the thermoplastic resin. Studies on monomer selection (HMDSO), plasma generation conditions (3 kV), and surface modification time (20–150 s) were conducted to determine the optimal conditions for PSM. FT-IR analysis was performed to confirm the surface modification and the fracture surface was observed after the mechanical properties were measured. The experimental results confirmed the effect of PSM on the BF resulting in about 10% improvement on the related mechanical properties.

The Utility of Recycled Rice Husk-Reinforced PVC Composite Profiles for Façade Cladding.

The production process of construction profiles from natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites, as well as their assembly, generates considerable amounts of waste. The study analysed the possibility of utilising the said waste to produce profiles with the same intended use as products made from the primary material. The analysis involved the recycling of rice husk-reinforced PVC profiles. As a result of the applied post-processing, a composite of higher homogeneity and better filler dispersion than the product made of primary material was obtained. A slight improvement in thermal properties was observed. From the DSC test, Tg values of 78 °C and nearly 80 °C were obtained, while from the TGA test, mass loss values of 0.6% and 0.4% and the decomposition temperatures of 211 °C and 217 °C were noted for profiles of primary and secondary material, respectively. A softening temperature of 75 °C was obtained for primary material profiles, while nearly 77 °C was obtained for secondary. The more favourable mechanical properties of recycled profiles were also maintained. The higher value of flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength and hardness by 31%, 24%, 48% and 40% were obtained, respectively. After hydrothermal cycling, the same properties were higher for secondary material profiles by 35%, 20%, 68%, and 67%, respectively. The recorded level of performance properties of recycled products, better than those of primary material standard construction products’, allows us to conclude that profiles made of waste are useful for façade claddings.

Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) Fiber-Reinforced Acrylic Thermoplastic Composites: Effect of Salt Fog Aging on Tensile, Spectrophotometric, and Thermogravimetric Properties

The prioritization of agroindustry fiber wastes as raw materials in development of composites has become a challenge to obtain higher value-added products with targeted applications. In this study, natural fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites were elaborated using two fiber sizes (605 μm and 633 μm) of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and acrylic thermoplastic resin. In doing so, resin and fibers were mixed at room temperature by maintaining filler content of 42 wt. % for all formulations. In addition, thermomechanical compression moulding was used as composite manufacturing process at four processing temperatures (80, 100, 120, and 140°C). All formulations were subsequently exposed to salt fog spray aging for 330 hours. The effects of accelerated aging process on mechanical, spectrophotometric, and thermogravimetric characteristics were studied. On the whole, results have shown feasibility to use a facile method to elaborate composites based on waterborne acrylic matrix and OPEFB fibers. After salt spray testing, it was observed detectable levels of Aspergillus spp. of fungi in all samples, as a result of phylogenetic organization of microbial activity. Tensile behavior of composites was significantly influenced by processing temperature and fiber size. In broad terms, their overall mechanical properties were improved by the increase of temperature. Additionally, infrared spectroscopy results showed important bands mainly associated to biodegradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. On the other hand, two degradation stages were mainly identified in thermogravimetric evaluation. Noteworthy, aging had no significant effect on the thermal properties of composites.

Effect of Fibre Volume Fraction and Sodium Hydroxide Treatment on Mechanical Properties of Palm Fibre/Unsaturated Polyester Composite

Wood has some weaknesses, such as susceptibility to weathering, easily attacked by termites, and low water resistance. An alternative material such as Natural Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (NFRP) composite should overcome those weaknesses. This research aims to make a composite with palm fibre and unsaturated polyester resin. Palm fibres immerse for 2 hours in NaOH solution with varying concentrations of 3%, 5%, and 7%. The volume fraction of palm fibre are 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. Woven roving fibreglass was added to compare the tensile strength of composite with or without natural fibre. The density of composites increased with the increase of fibre volume fraction. The highest tensile strength was obtained for 15% of fibre volume fraction, namely 23.8483 MPa. In contrast, the highest compressive strength was obtained for 5% of fibre volume fraction, namely 94.76 MPa. NaOH removed the impurities and waxy substances from the fibre surface and created a rougher surface topography after alkalization. The highest tensile strength was obtained with 7% NaOH, namely 14.674 MPa. The highest water absorption value was obtained at 3% NaOH concentration and 15% of fibre volume fraction, namely 1.445%. The addition of woven roving as reinforcement to natural fibre composite can increase tensile strength by 210%, from 13.882 MPa to 43.123 MPa.

Multi-Response Modelling and Optimization of Agave Cantala Natural Fiber and Multi-wall Carbon Nano Tube Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposite: Application of Mixture Design

Multi-Response Modelling and Optimization of Agave Cantala Natural Fiber and Multi-wall Carbon Nano Tube Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposite: Application of Mixture Design

Newsprint microcrystalline fibers activated by different coupling agents and electron beam irradiation as filler for styrene-butadiene rubber-based composites

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites offer many benefits over predictable composite materials, such as accessibility, low-cost, lightweight, and high definite mechanical properties. However, the applications of these materials are quiet restricted due to the contests in realizing a good interface between the fibers and matrix. This is highly influenced by the fiber surface characteristics and the polymer matrix properties. Therefore, this work discusses the incorporation of newsprint microcrystalline fibers (NPMCFs) in styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) based composite. The fibers were first treated with (consistent concentration (10 w/100 w) coupling agents to fiber, respectively. The coupling agents namely: vinyl acetate versatic ester (VAcVe), maleic anhydride (MA), and phenol-formaldehyde resin (PFR), followed by surficial modification by irradiation with 30 kGy electron beam. Pristine and produced fibers were compounded to SBR. Mixing the ingredients was carried out on a rubber roll mill and then molded on a hot press to induce sulfur vulcanization. Characterization of the yielded fibers was investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR). The mechanical properties of composites, such as tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus, tensile set, and crosslinking density demonstrated enhanced values as a result of enforcing the SBR matrix. The morphological examination via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques explicitly indicated the adhesion of the prepared fibers to SBR moiety. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed a remarkable improvement in the thermal stability of the developed MA and PFR/SBR composites.

PENGARUH LEBAR SERAT ABAKA SEBAGAI MATERIAL NFRP UNTUK KUAT GESER BALOK BETON BERTULANG

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is an alternative for planning, repairing, and strengthening structures. FRP is a combination of fiber as reinforcement and resin as adhesive. Reinforcing materials can be made of carbon, aramid, glass, and natural fibers. Utilization of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer (NFRP) FRP with natural fibers can be more economical. The natural fiber used in this research is abaca fiber which is often found and is not used for structural reinforcement. The purpose of this study was to determine the increase in shear strength of reinforced concrete beams with different widths of NFRP abaca fiber. NFRP Abaca fiber is fully wrapped (complete wrapping) on the surface of the reinforced concrete beam. The study was conducted on four reinforced concrete beams measuring 15 cm x 30 cm x 220 cm with simple support with two load points to determine the effect of abaca fiber width on increasing the shear strength of the beam. One specimen as a control test object and three specimens reinforced with Abaca Fiber NFRP with variations in fiber width of 2.5 cm, 5 cm, and 7.5 cm, respectively. The test results show an increase in the shear capacity of reinforced concrete beams as the fiber width increases. The flexural failure occurred in the test object with a width of 7.5 cm, this was the case that the shear capacity of the beam had exceeded the flexural capacity of the beam.

Sustainable Manufacture of Natural Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Resin Composites with Coupling Agent in the Hardener

Lignocellulosic natural fibres are hydrophilic, while many matrix systems for composites are hydrophobic. The achievement of good mechanical properties for natural fibre-reinforced polymer (NFRP) matrix composites relies on good fibre-to-matrix bonding at the interface. The reinforcement is normally coated with an amphiphilic coupling agent to promote a strong interface. A novel alternative approach is to dissolve the coupling agent in the hardener for the resin before creating the stoichiometric mix with the base epoxy resin. During composite manufacture, the hydrophilic (polar) end of the coupling agent migrates to surfaces (internal interfaces) and bonds to the fibres. The hydrophobic (non-polar) end of the coupling agent remains embedded in the mixed resin. Mechanical testing of composite samples showed that silane added directly to the matrix produced a NFRP composite with enhanced longitudinal properties. As pre-process fibre coating is no longer required, there are economic (shorter process times), environmental (elimination of contaminated solvents) and social (reduced worker exposure to chemical vapours) benefits arising from the new technique.

Entropy-based Taguchi–Grey relational analysis for multi-output optimization of coating parameters in MoS2-coated sugar palm fiber and its characterization

Polymer composites using high-performance natural fibers have several practical uses in industry. The effect of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) coating on sugar palm fiber (SPF) is investigated in this study. The fiber surface is modified using the osmosis technique with different process parameters such as concentrations of MoS2, temperature, and time. The multi-output optimization (MOO) method is used to study the influence of the coating parameter on tensile strength and coating density. The chemical, morphological and thermal stability of the sample synthesized by optimum parameters are analyzed and compared with raw-sugar palm fiber (R-SPF). The processing time is the parameter that strongly influences the tensile strength and coating concentration. The Field emission-scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) observations indicate the successfulness of MoS2 coating over the raw palm fiber surface. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate that the crystallinity index (CI) of the coated fiber has increased significantly compared to R-SPF. The MoS2 physisorption on the R-SPF surface is verified by Fourier’s transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) results reveal that the thermal stability of modified-sugar palm fiber (M-SPF) increased significantly relative to the R-SPF. The hydrophobicity of the R-SPF was also significantly improved as a result of the coating. This method shows an excellent methodology for developing high-potential natural fiber to manufacture high-performance natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites.

Product Development of Natural Fibre-Composites for Various Applications: Design for Sustainability.

New product development review article aims to consolidate the principles and current literature on design for sustainability to seek the field’s future direction. In this point of view, the design for sustainability methods can be established under the idea of sustainability in dimensions of ecology, economy and social pillars. Design for sustainability concept is implemented in concurrent engineering, including concept, embodiment and detail design processes. Integrating sustainability in engineering designs is crucial to producing greener products, system innovation, and services aligned with current market demand. Currently, many concurrent engineering studies related to natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites associated with sustainability enhance the application of design for sustainability techniques by professional designers. However, the current literature is scarce in bridging the design for sustainability concept with concurrent engineering during the design development stage, and these areas should be further developed. Several other future research directions, such as the need for aligning with principles and applications, along with exploring the relationships between the design for sustainability techniques and views of sustainability, are presented in this review paper.

Manufacture of Natural Fiber-reinforced Polymer Pipes

ABSTRACT Utilizing locally available materials and labor in the construction and preservation of water infrastructure is considered an effective strategy toward progressing regional economic development and providing security of water supply in some less industrialized and remote regions. Current pipe manufacturing processes are highly advanced, with the implementation of these manufacturing technologies in remote and less-industrialized areas being difficult to achieve. Flax fiber-reinforced epoxy (FFRE) composite has substantial potential to be used for constructing or reinforcing various structural components, mainly due to a superior combination of stiffness, strength, low cost, and low weight of flax fiber when compared to other natural fibers. Two techniques were proposed to manufacture pipes using FFRE composite, namely, the manual fabric winding technique and the vacuum infusion method. The proposed manufacturing techniques, especially the manual fabric winding method, were shown to be simple to implement, and the processes can be replicated without the necessity for advanced manufacturing technologies.

A Review on Natural Fibre-Reinforced Biopolymer Composites: Properties and Applications

In ongoing decades, material researchers and scientists are giving more consideration towards the improvement of biobased polymer composites as various employments of items arranged by natural fibres and petrochemical polymers prompt natural awkwardness. The goal of this review paper is to provide an intensive review and applications of the foremost appropriate commonly used biodegradable polymer composites. It is imperative to build up the completely/incompletely biodegradable polymer composites without bargaining the mechanical, physical, and thermal properties which are required for the end-use applications. This reality roused to create biocomposite with better execution alongside the least natural effect. The utilization of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites is concerned with the mechanical properties that are highly dependent on the morphology, hydrophilic tendency, aspect ratio, and dimensional stability of the natural fibre. With this in-depth consideration of eco-friendly biocomposites, structural application materials in the infrastructure, automotive industry, and consumer applications of the following decade are attainable within the near future.

Study on areca nut husk fine fiber fabric reinforced composites panels under dynamic loading conditions

Natural fiber-reinforced composites were extensively used in civil engineering, marine structures, automobile, and aerospace industries, and are nowadays used for several applications. Natural fiber has several advantages, such as easy availability, lightweight, low price, eco-friendliness, and economic. Natural fiber-reinforced composite improves the bonding between fiber and resin, reduces water absorption, and facilitates good thermal properties. Acceptable chemical modification of the fiber is needed. The present analysis focuses on the dynamic behavior of natural areca nut husk fine fiber mat in NaOH 6% treated reinforced epoxy resin with a hardener composite panel. This was done through the hand layup method under different temperatures (ranging from 28 °C to 120 °C) and in different loading frequencies (1–10 Hz) and by using a Dynamic Mechanical Analyser (DMA). Dynamic mechanical parameters, such as storage modulus (E’), loss modulus (E”), and damping factor (tan delta) (δ), depending on the given temperature and condition regarding the interface bonding between natural fiber-reinforced material and polymer composite material. Temperature increases with a rise in storage modulus increases with (2.6 GPa at 28 °C) and temperature increases with a decrease in loss modulus (117 MPa at 28 °C). Glass transition temperature of the areca nut husk fiber composite is determined to be 67 °C (1–10 Hz). Temperature increases up to the glass transition point and then decreases with the damping factor, which increases up to the highest storage modulus value (1.0) of the tan curve peak shift, and then it will decrease.

Mechanical characterization of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites and their application in Prosthesis: A review

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRP) as eco-friendly and sustainable materials were receiving attention from researchers because their manufacturing and disposal have a small load on the environment other than the synthetic polymer composites. These composites are potentially used in medical devices and various engineering applications, due to some unique characteristics, such as biocompatibility, high specific strength, low thermal conductivity, and Biodegradability. The aim of the paper is to examine the latest technology in the research and development of NFRP. This review article emphasizes research effort on fabrication of NFRP and its material properties like tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. And also reports that natural fiber PALF-Sisal reinforced polymer composites have better mechanical performance in the application of prosthesis than synthetic fiber reinforced polymers.

A Comprehensive Review of Various Factors for Application Feasibility of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

A Comprehensive Review of Various Factors for Application Feasibility of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Artificial Weathering Resistance Test Methods for Building Performance Assessment of Profiles Made of Natural Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites.

A growing popularity of profiles made of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites in civil engineering encourages determining test methods relevant for building performance assessment. Weathering resistance is among the key aspects that condition the durability of building structures. The paper includes a comparative analysis of two artificial weathering resistance test methods. Polyvinyl chloride and wood flour composite profiles were tested. They were subjected to UV and spraying (X-exposure) and UV, spraying and wetting by condensation (F-exposure), both at different exposure times. The influence of the applied weathering procedures on the composite’s microstructure and its mechanical characteristics were analysed. No changes in the microstructure of brittle fractures were observed. However, surface morphology changes were revealed, noticeably greater following X-exposure than F-exposure. F-exposure exerted significant influence on the mechanical properties of brushed profile, including, but not limited to, flexural modulus. Whereas X-exposure exerted more influence on the mechanical properties of non-brushed profile.

Tailored Lace: Moldless Fabrication of 3D Bio-Composite Structures through an Integrative Design and Fabrication Process

This research demonstrates an integrative computational design and fabrication workflow for the production of surface-active fibre composites, which uses natural fibres, revitalises a traditional craft, and avoids the use of costly molds. Fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) are highly tunable building materials, which gain efficiency from fabrication techniques enabling controlled fibre direction and placement in tune with load-bearing requirements. These techniques have evolved closely with industrial textile processes. However, increased focus on automation within FRP fabrication processes have overlooked potential key benefits presented by some lesser-known traditional techniques of fibre arrangement. This research explores the process of traditional bobbin lace-making and applies it in a computer-aided design and fabrication process of a small-scale structural demonstrator in the form of a chair. The research exposes qualities that can expand the design space of FRPs, as well as speculates about the potential automation of the process. In addition, Natural Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (NFRP) are investigated as a sustainable and human-friendly alternative to more popular carbon and glass FRPs.

Selection of the natural fiber for sustainable applications in aerospace cabin interior using fuzzy MCDM model

The selection of natural fibers in composites for use in the interior of aerospace cabins requires an evaluation of performance scores against a variety of criteria defined in material standards. Due to many alternatives and criteria, the selection process becomes complex, and hence it is called a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problem. As a result, statistical methods are necessary to evaluate each fiber's performance score and choose the best possible alternative based on it. The primary objective of this study is to select the best natural fiber among twelve key alternatives through the use of Fuzzy integrated Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method, Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS), and COmplex PRoportional ASsessment (COPRAS) method. This study also intends to analyze the obtained order of preferences’ sensitivity for these different MCDM models. This study intends to provide the first-ever insight into selecting the best natural fiber and their sensitivity to criteria weights for developing Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer (NFRP) composites in aerospace cabin interior applications. The derived rankings of the natural fibers in this study are conclusive and significantly compelling to aid the researchers in concentrating their efforts on developing the best NFRP composites for applications in the aerospace cabin interior.