Natural Fiber-reinforced Polymer Research Articles

Effect of radiation-induced graft polymerization onto pineapple nonwoven fabric reinforced polymer composite

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites are gaining attention for their environmental benefits, such as biodegradability and reduced carbon footprint, as well as the potential of the natural fibers to replace or partially substitute synthetic fibers in various applications. However, challenges, such as poor interfacial adhesion and moisture absorption, limit the effectiveness of natural fibers, such as pineapple nonwoven fabric (PNWF) as reinforcement materials in polymer composites. To address these challenges, this study aims to enhance the properties of PNWF through glycidyl methacrylate grafting via radiation-induced graft polymerization. A 22 factorial design was employed to assess the effects of absorbed dosage and monomer concentration on the properties of the grafted PNWF. Infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy analyses confirmed successful grafting. The grafted PNWF exhibited improved thermal stability and mechanical properties. The resulting composites showed significant enhancements in tensile and flexural strength, specifically, with tensile strength increase ranging from 23.32 to 34.49 MPa and flexural strength from 39.14 to 54.59 MPa. Additionally, the tensile modulus ranged from 0.77 to 1.29 GPa, while the flexural modulus varied from 1.17 to 2.06 GPa. These findings highlight the potential of PNWF grafted with polyglycidyl methacrylate (PNWF-g-PGMA) as an effective reinforcement material for various applications.

Comparison studies on acoustic behaviour of natural fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites

Comparison studies on acoustic behaviour of natural fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites

Stress-strain behaviour of pre-damaged concrete confined with natural fibre reinforced polymer

In recent years, using environmentally friendly construction materials has become a new trend in structural engineering. This research presents the application of natural fibre reinforced polymer (NFRP) composites for repairing damaged structural concrete members. The compressive behaviour of pre-peak damaged concrete confined with two types of NFRP composites was investigated. The tensile properties of jute fibre reinforced polymer (JFRP) and sisal fibre reinforced polymer (SFRP) were examined and compared with those of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) using coupon tests. Subsequently, a series of pre-damaged concrete cylinders, confined with JFRP, SFRP, and CFRP, were subjected to uniaxial compression tests. The results showed that JFRP and SFRP are effective in providing confinement to pre-peak damaged concrete. The strength and ductility of pre-peak damaged concrete confined with NFRP increased with the number of NFRP layers. The cost-effectiveness of FRP-confined concrete was also evaluated, with JFRP being the most economically efficient. The eco-strength efficiency (ESE), defined as the increased compressive strength per unit of CO2 emissions, shows that JFRP is the most effective. This highlights JFRP's potential for sustainable construction. Finally, the compressive strength models were proposed. The models demonstrate improved accuracy in predicting the peak compressive strength of pre-peak damaged concrete confined with NFRP compared to existing models.

Physico-mechanical characterization and DFT studies of benzoyl peroxide treated water hyacinth reinforced polypropylene composites

The use of eco-friendly natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites is rapidly expanding across diverse sectors. The rapid spread of water hyacinth disrupts aquatic ecosystems by modifying the pH of water and salinity in Bangladesh. This work investigated on the impact of incorporating both untreated and chemically treated water hyacinth fibers into polypropylene (PP). Untreated water hyacinth (UWH) powder was treated with an alkaline solution, producing mercerized water hyacinth (MWH). MWH was further oxidized to yield oxidized water hyacinth (OWH). Analysis of attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra of UWH, MWH and OWH confirmed cellulose modification. The UWH and OWH were taken in varying contents (1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt%) and added to PP to make UWH-PP and OWH-PP composites using compression molding technique. The 1% fiber content OWH-PP composites exhibited enhanced tensile strength, elongation, and impact strength compared to UWH-PP composites. Enhanced mechanical properties in OWH-PP composites suggested that benzoyl peroxide treatment improves interfacial adhesion. Morphological analysis of the OWH-PP composite showed better interfacial bonding between water hyacinth and PP than that of the UWH-PP composite. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) depicted the thermal stability of the UWH-PP and OWH-PP composites. The chemical reaction of cellulose monomer was further studied with DFT/B3LYP level of theory using two different basis sets 6-31+G(d, p) and cc-pVTZ. The calculated vibrational spectra of the untreated, mercerized and oxidized cellulose monomer agree well with the ATR-FTIR spectra, confirming chemical modification. DFT calculations of thermodynamic properties revealed the feasibility of the reactions. Electronic property (NBO charge) indicated charge transfer and structural changes during chemical modification.

Experimental investigation on tensile strength and impact strength of palmyra palm leaf stalk – Sisal fiber reinforced polymer hybrid composite

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites are the most widely used materials and preferable in terms of biodegradability, cost production, recyclability, and low density. The main aim of this study is to conduct an experimental investigation on tensile strength and impact strength of palmyra palm leaf stalk fiber (PLSF) and sisal fiber reinforced polymer hybrid composite. The composite material was fabricated using hand lay-up techniques. The working parameters are mass fraction ratio of PLSF/sisal fiber and volume fiber fraction with the matrix. Tensile strength and impact energy resistance tests were experimentally conducted according to the ASTM standard dimensions. The results revealed that the addition of sisal fiber to PLSF enhanced the tensile strength by 12.850 %, 26.540 %, and 30.630 % respectively compared to pure Palmyra palm leaf stalk fiber reinforced composite (PPFRC). Whereas, the addition of PLSF to sisal fiber improved the impact of energy by 20.980 %, 13.610 %, and 11.880 % compared to pure sisal fiber reinforced composite (PSFRC). The tensile strength with 20 % fiber volume fraction is improved by 53.996 % and 12.188 % compared to 10 % and 15 % of fiber respectively. The impact strength was also enhanced by 24.931 % and 10.030 % compared to 10 % and 15 % of volume fiber fraction respectively. The tensile strength and impact energy of the treated fiber composite increased by 62.243 % and 22.478 % respectively compared to the untreated hybrid Palmyra palm leaf stalk and sisal hybrid fiber reinforced composite (UHPSFRC). Generally, the HPSFRC-2 (Palmyra palm leaf stalk/sisal fiber) (P/S ratio 50/50 % ratio with 20/80 % ratio of fiber/matric percentage reinforced polymer hybrid composite) has good tensile strength and impact energy. Therefore, the mechanical property of the (Palm/Sisal) hybrid composite can be used for the manufacturing of the automotive interior parts like door panel, dash board, seat back, and automotive roof.

Fabrication and mechanical performance investigation of jute/glass fiber hybridized polymer composites: Effect of stacking sequences

The green, biodegradable, and cost-effective properties of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials have attracted significant interest when compared to synthetic polymer composites. Jute is a naturally occurring bast fiber that is inexpensive, durable, and often utilized. In contrast, glass is a composite material that is frequently used in various applications, despite its high cost and potential environmental risks. Owing to jute's superior mechanical properties, there is a great deal of potential for combining it with glass, which would lower the amount of glass used and the composite's overall cost. This study employed bleached jute fabric and non-woven glass fabric to develop neat jute, neat glass, and hybrid composites by using different stacking sequences. The composites were fabricated utilizing a thermoset polymer matrix by following the hand layup process. Subsequently, an investigation was carried out to examine the mechanical, physical, thermal, and morphological properties of these composites. Out of the developed samples, the neat jute presents the least tensile and bending strength at 31.35 MPa and 41.138 MPa respectively, whereas the neat glass composite demonstrates exceptional tensile and bending strengths at 132.03 MPa and 184.86 MPa respectively. In the case of hybrid samples, they exhibited mechanical capabilities that fell between neat jute and neat glass, which was attributed to the combination of glass with jute fabric and the placement of glass as the outer layer. Apart from that, we observed that the moisture take-up% and thermal conductivity of hybrids composite were within 4–4.3% and 0.28–0.32 Wm−1 K-1 respectively. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis and morphological behavior were also assessed. However, this study suggested that jute and nonwoven glass fabric with different stacking sequences may be combined to create a reinforced hybrid composite that may have potential use in furniture, interior design, and inner sections of cars.

Development and machine learning based prediction of carbon/hemp/ramie sandwich composite as sustainable and ecofriendly solution for automobile application

Automobiles are significant sources of Carbon Footprint. To mitigate the Carbon Footprint and promote sustainability, the automobile industries are developing automobiles in compliance with the Circular Economy Model and therefore incorporating natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites for the body material on a wide scale. However, the sole incorporation of natural fiber as reinforcement to polymer composite materials may lead to premature mechanical failure. Therefore, this study examined the impact behaviour and cost of hybrid polymer composites composed of carbon fiber, hemp fiber, and ramie fiber for an automobile door panel. An experimental-based Machine Learning Framework was used to predict the Impact strength and cost of hybrid polymer composites for varied combinations of fiber volume fraction, fiber type, thickness, and fiber orientation. Crushing behaviour under Impact loading was analyzed through FEM for automobile door panels for the developed hybrid polymer composites. Furthermore, fractographic analyses were also carried out for the developed hybrid polymer composites.

Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Characterization of Areca, Pineapple and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites for Aerospace Applications

In the current scenario, the focus on applying natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites in aerospace applications has increased tremendously due to their attractive characteristics such as lightweight, higher strength-to-weight ratio, good thermal stability at environmental temperatures, resistance to corrosion, sound absorbing capability and increased fuel efficiency. Further, studies on Bi-directionally oriented fiber composites have more advantages than the random or unidirectional orientation, such as uniform stress distribution and improved bonding at the interface. So, the present work focuses on using the Areca, Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) and Glass fiber as the bi-directional fiber mat for reinforcing it into Epoxy polymer. The three different materials were fabricated by changing the fiber type with constant volume fraction and orientation. The martial characterization was done on the fabricated composites in order to evaluate their orientation effectiveness through density, moisture absorption, tensile, impact, hardness and thermal degradation. The bonding relationship was analyzed through a Scanning Electron Microscope. The results showed that the properties obtained were higher for the PALF composite than the areca composites due to the fact that the higher surface area of PALF fibers is confirmed through SEM analysis.

Mechanical characterizations of waste face masks reinforced polyester composites: Recycling wastes into resources

Face masks are made of non-decomposable thin polypropylene sheets. People are discarding them in parks, beaches, drains, landfills, and roadsides because of a deficiency in recycling efforts. It poses health and environmental risks through soil, water, and air pollution, as well as implanting microplastics into aquatic and different active organisms via food chains. Therefore, the environment and ecosystem become unsustainable. This study explored the potential of recycling waste face masks (WFM) into composite materials. In this sense, WFM-reinforced three distinct polyester composites are developed with a 20 % fiber loading in the compression molding machine and employing shredded, parallel, and crisscross patterns of WFM. The tensile, flexural, and impact strengths of composites are assessed as per ASTM guidelines and contrasted with NFRP (natural fiber-reinforced polymer) composites. Besides, void contents and morphological features are investigated using the Field Emission Scanning Electronic Microscope (FE-SEM) to confirm the interaction between WFM and polyester. The maximum tensile and flexural strengths of 32.06 and 41.13 MPa, respectively, are found in the crisscross pattern WFM composite. The maximum impact strength of 0.053 J/mm is found in parallel, and the least void content of 0.63 % is found in crisscross WFM composites. Compared to NFRP composites, the mechanical strengths, void contents, and morphological properties of WFM composites are found promising. It proclaimed that WFM is an appropriate candidate for recycling into composites. It will deter environmental pollution and microplastic insinuation into living things, elevate sustainable development goals, and develop a circular economy by generating resources from WFM.

Factors affecting flexural and impact strength of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites: a review

The surging demand for energy-efficient products and their environmental implications are important propelling factors contributing to the growing popularity of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs) in several domains. NFRP composites diversification significantly influenced the study and their development in recent years. The intrinsic characteristics of natural fibers have posed difficulties in the growth and use of NFRPCs. A significant amount of study has recently been performed to solve these sorts of problems in order to enhance the performance of NFRPCs and their uses. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the chemical composition of natural fibers, their physical and mechanical characteristics, and factors affecting the flexural and impact strength of NFRPCs, such as type of fiber, weight percentage of fiber, fiber geometry, surface treatments, stacking, hybridization, orientation, fillers, and information accomplished with them. The product life-cycle evaluation and sustainability development of plant-based NFRCs and the growing uses of NFRPCs, focusing on the automobile sector, are also explored. Finally, multiple perceptions were concluded with the expectation that this study may contribute to future improvements in the flexural and impact strength of NFRPCs.

An analysis of diffusion mechanism and mechanical properties of jute, JUCO, and banana fiber composites in three different mediums

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPC) are the most desirable for their low-cost, eco-friendly, and high-durability properties. Scientists are facing numerous challenges with this type of composite in a wet or high-humid environment. High water absorption and reduced mechanical properties are the main concerns for this type of composite. A new kind of fiber mat called JUCO, which is a mixture of jute and cotton, is introduced here. Banana fiber and jute yarn were used to fabricate unidirectional mats, which were made using a custom-designed handloom. The composite fabrication was done by hand layup with the cold press method. The tensile and flexural strengths decreased after immersion in three mediums (pH 3, pH 7, and pH 8) for 150 days due to the water aging effect. Minimum strength was found when the samples were immersed in pH 3 mediums. Tensile and flexural test results were also evaluated by the finite elemental method (FEM) to validate the experimental results. The main objectives of this study are to investigate the mechanical properties and degradation due to the aging of newly developed JUCO fiber-based composites.

The effect of nanocellulose and silica filler on the mechanical properties of natural fiber polymer matrix composites

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites recently got great attention in biomedical applications due to their inherent characteristics such as biocompatibility, lightweight, and biodegradability. However, natural fiber composites suffer from poor mechanical properties and weak interfacial adhesion. It is well documented that the addition of nanofiller has improved the mechanical properties of different synthetic fibers such as glass and carbon composites. The main objective of this paper is to study nanofillers' effect on the mechanical properties of unidirectional false banana fibers reinforced polymer composites. The filler materials, crystalline nanocellulose fibrils, and crystalline nanosilica particles were extracted from sugarcane bagasse and its byproducts. The composite samples were fabricated by adding the nanofillers in unidirectional natural fibers arranged in four fiber orientations (0°, 0o/90o ±45o, and quasi-isotropic), and their tensile, flexural, compression strength, thermal stability, and void content were measured following ASTM standards. The results revealed that adding nanofillers increased the tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths by 16 % (98.83 Mpa), 11 % (161.60 Mpa), and 23 % (114.62 Mpa), respectively. Similarly, at 0° orientation, the addition of nanoparticles enhances the tensile, bending, and compressive modulus by 30 % (15.43 Gpa), 12 % (13.52 Gpa), and 60 % (42.6 Gpa), respectively. On the other hand, the void content was reduced with the addition of nanofillers. The results also revealed that composites with crystalline nanosilica particle fillers had superior thermal stability compared to crystalline nanocellulose fibril fillers. The overall results of this research give the confidence that nano particle-filled natural fiber composites can be used for bio-based engineering applications, such as prosthetic sockets.

Static and dynamic analysis of polyethylene terephthalate foam core and different natural fiber-reinforced laminated composite-based sandwich plates through experimental and numerical simulation

This study explores the flexural behavior and free vibration analysis of sandwich plates including natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite faces and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) foam cores under a range of edge situations. ABAQUS is used to do numerical simulations with three-dimensional solid elements (C3D8R). To ascertain the natural frequencies of the plates, experimental procedures such as impact hammer testing and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis are carried out. The inference of different geometrical parameters on the natural frequencies is investigated through numerical simulation in ABAQUS. The study gives brief outlines regarding the sandwich plates for different engineering applications.

Modification on Fiber from Alkali Treatment and AESO Coating to Enhance UV-Light and Water Absorption Resistance in Kapok Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites

ABSTRACT Environmental contamination poses a significant threat to the integrity of materials, including metals and composites. Addressing the degradation of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites necessitates effective management strategies, particularly in mitigating UV and water-induced deterioration. This study explores the efficacy of Acrylated Epoxidized Soybean Oil (AESO) coating treatment following alkali treatment as a potential solution. Alkali treatment of Kapok fiber (KF) combined with polymer coating yielded composites exhibiting superior mechanical properties, particularly in tensile and flexural strength, following a 30-day aging period. Remarkably, the application of alkali and coating treatments led to a substantial enhancement in the mechanical strength of polyester composites, with the highest tensile strength recorded at 96.04 MPa. This represented a notable increase of 31.97% compared to untreated KF specimens. The observed enhancement in composite performance underscores the critical role of interfacial adhesion between fibers and the matrix, particularly under conditions of UV exposure and water immersion. Importantly, the study demonstrates that alkali treatment and polymer coating effectively mitigate degradation in Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites, thereby offering promising avenues for enhancing their durability and longevity.

The rigid-flexible balanced molecular crosslinking network transition interface: An effective strategy for improving the performance of bamboo fibers/poly(butadiene succinate-co-butadiene adipate) biocomposites

The poor interfacial compatibility of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites has become a major challenge in the development of industry-standard high-performance composites. To solve this problem, this study constructs a novel rigid-flexible balanced molecular crosslinked network transition interface in composites. The interface improves the interfacial compatibility of the composites by balancing the stiffness and strength of the fibers and the matrix， effectively improving the properties of the composites. The flexural strength and flexural modulus of the composites were enhanced by 38 % and 44 %, respectively. Water absorption decreased by 30 %. The initial and maximum thermal degradation temperatures increased by 20 °C and 16 °C, respectively. The maximum storage modulus increased by 316 %. Furthermore, the impact toughness was elevated by 41 %, attributed to the crosslinked network's efficacy in absorbing and dissipating externally applied energy. This innovative approach introduces a new theory of interfacial reinforcement compatibility, advancing the development of high-performance and sustainable biocomposites.

Testing and Evaluation of Hybrid Polymer Composites Reinforced with Moringa oleifera and Boehmeria nivea Fibers, Embedded with Copper Oxide Particulates, for Thermal, Structural, and Biological Properties

Abstract The increasing need for sustainable materials in industrial applications has prompted a significant shift in attention from synthetic to natural fibers. This study examines the problems and opportunities arising from the utilization of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites in several industrial sectors. The objective of this work is to fabricate a hybrid composite using a conventional hand layup technique with natural reinforcement of Moringa oleifera (MO) and ramie (Boehmeria nivea) fibers, an epoxy matrix blended with copper oxide filler, utilized to enhance material stability and antimicrobial activity. To quantify the effect of five different weight fractions of MO and ramie fibers on this hybrid composite, its mechanical, thermal, functional, and antifungal properties were examined. The superior tensile strength (61.34 MPa), flexural strength (64.78 MPa), and impact energy (23 J) results indicate that ramie fiber loading should be increased. Additionally, enhanced thermal properties such as thermal conductivity (0.93 W/mK), heat deflection temperature (97°C), thermal expansion coefficient (1.7210−5/°C), and maximal thermal stability were observed at 347°C as a result of the increased ramie fiber loading. This analysis demonstrates that this hybrid composite possesses the antifungal activity necessary to form an inhibition zone against Candida albicans. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was conducted to determine the hybrid composites’ bonding strength and failure mode.

Fostering sustainability: The environmental advantages of natural fiber composite materials – a mini review

In recent decades, natural fiber reinforced composites (NFRCs) have become an attractive substitute for conventional materials such as glass fiber and have attracted considerable interest from researchers and academics, particularly in the context of environmental protection. Environmental factors and their impact on the fundamental properties of renewable materials are becoming an increasingly popular area of study, particularly natural fibers and their composites. While this area of research is still expanding, natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRCs) have found widespread use in a variety of engineering contexts. Natural fibers (NFs) such as pineapple leaf (PALF), bamboo, abaca, coconut fibers, jute, banana, flax, hemp, sisal, kenaf, and others have many desirable properties, but their development and use present researchers with a number of obstacles. These fibers have attracted attention due to their various advantageous properties, such as lightness, economy, biodegradability, remarkable specific strength, and competitive mechanical properties, which make them promising candidates for use as biomaterials. As a result, they can serve as alternative materials to traditional composite fibers such as glass, aramid, and carbon in various applications. In addition, natural fibers have attracted the interest of an increasing number of researchers because they are readily available in nature and as by-products of agricultural and food systems, contributing to the improvement of the environmental ecosystem. This interest coincides with the search for environmentally friendly materials to replace synthetic fibers used in the construction, automotive, and packaging industries. The use of natural fibers is not only logical but also practical, as their fibrous form can be easily extracted and strengthened by chemical, physical, or enzymatic treatments. This article provides a brief overview of NFRCs, looking at their chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. It also highlights some of the significant advances associated with NFRCs from an economic, environmental, and sustainability perspective. Additionally, it provides a concise discussion of their diverse applications, all with a focus on their positive impact on the environment.

Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Experimental characterization of Grewia Ferruginea fiber reinforced polyester matrix composite materials

Researchers have recently altered their focus and have become more interested in natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites because they are more ecologically friendly and environmentally conscious than synthetic fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Among the best sources of natural fiber, Grewia ferruginea, sometimes known locally as Lenquata, is a source of natural fiber from other plant fibers. The goal of this study was to create polyester matrix composites reinforced with short Grewia ferruginea plant fibers measuring 10, 20, and 30 mm. The fibers were extracted using the traditional water-retting method and chemically treated with 5% NaOH. The findings indicated that the average tensile strength of a single fiber from Grewia ferruginea plants is 214 MPa, with a density of 1.11 g/cm3. Furthermore, the composite, which was created with a fiber length of 10 mm, fiber weight ratio of 25 %, and polyester matrix composite of 75 %, exhibited superior performance since it is stronger than any combination that was used to create the composite in this investigation, with 18.3 MPa tensile and 35.2 MPa flexural strength.

Study of the Physic-Mechanical Properties of a Typha Concrete Composites: A Possible New Material for Sustainable Construction

Natural fibers have garnered considerable attention from researchers and academics alike due to their eco-friendly nature and sustainability. These fibers are being explored for their potential use in polymer composites. The use of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials is rapidly increasing in both industrial and fundamental research applications due to their renewable, low, and biodegradable properties. In order to reduce the CO2 emissions, the building energy consumption and preserve the natural sand. The present study involved conducting an analysis of the results obtained from the experimental investigation where five mixtures of typha fiber sand, and cement (MHC0, MHC5, MHC10, MHC15 and MHC20)) were utilized to make Typha-concrete. The experimental mixtures being examined and the results indicate that the density of the samples diminishes in proportion to the incorporation of typha fiber, while the thermal conductivity is enhanced. In addition, the characteristics of lightweight structures can be attributed to the generated specimens, which have been determined by their documented compressive strength. Based on the results of RILEM's functional classification analysis, it can be concluded that Typha-concrete meets the mechanical and thermal requirements of construction materials, making it a feasible option for both structural and insulating concrete applications.