Properties Of Natural Fibers Research Articles

Effect of fiber weight fraction on mechanical properties of hemp, jute, bamboo epoxy composite

Natural fiber reinforced composites have attracted growing attention for their potential in lightweight structural applications, particularly in the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries. This study focuses on the fabrication of bio-composites using varying weight fractions of fibers (hemp, jute, and bamboo) reinforced with epoxy resin, through the hand lay-up method. The tensile, flexural, impact, and wear rate testing were conducted on the fabricated specimens. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of natural fibers into the epoxy matrix significantly improves mechanical and tribological characteristics for all fiber weight ratios. The highest performance was observed at a 15 wt% fiber content, with tensile strength reaching 54.27 MPa, flexural strength at 158.5 MPa, impact strength of 11.85 kJ/m2, and a specific wear rate of 18.24 × 10−8 m3/Nm. Overall, the discrepancies between the ANSYS results and experimental data range from 2% to 5%, confirming the reliability and robustness of the FEA methodology in predicting the mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced hybrid composites.These notable enhancements suggest that the eco-friendly hybrid composite could serve as a sustainable alternative for automotive components such as dashboards, windows, and other interior parts, offering a viable replacement for conventional materials.

Ultrasonic-Assisted alkali and polyvinyl alcohol treatment for enhancing the mechanical of sisal fiber and interfacial properties with starch

ABSTRACT Sisal fibers treated with alkali and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) through ultrasonic impregnation yield various modified fibers with enhanced properties. In this study, the influence of PVA adhesion on the tensile strength, water absorption and thermal stability of individual fiber and the change of interfacial shear strength with starch were investigated. The fiber was characterized by infrared spectroscopy and electron microscope. Results reveal that PVA not only coats the surface but also penetrates the fibers, significantly improving tensile strength. Weibull distribution analysis showed that the tensile strength of ASF increased by 42.99% and the interfacial shear strength increased by 140.5%. The tensile strength of the PSF-1.0, analyzed using Weibull distribution, increased by 50.1%, and the interfacial shear strength improved by 112.9%. The study confirms that alkali and PVA treatment is a cost-effective, biodegradable method to enhance the tensile and interfacial binding properties of natural fibers, making them suitable for reinforced starch-based composites.

A computational homogenization model for mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced cementitious composites with functionally graded interphase

A computational homogenization model for mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced cementitious composites with functionally graded interphase

Green friction: Exploring the evolution and potential of natural fibers and other brake pad ingredients in sustainable automotive engineering—A review

AbstractWith the growing environmental concerns and strict regulations, the shift from traditional brake pad materials such as copper, asbestos to eco‐friendly materials has become necessary. This review paper presents an in‐depth analysis of natural fibers (fibers obtained from plants) brake pads, an emerging sustainable alternative in automotive technology. Natural fibers such as jute, kenaf, flax etc. offers a good solution due to their renewable nature, low cost and reduced environmental impact. This paper explores the properties of natural fibers that make them suitable for use in brake pads including their thermal stability, wear resistance and ability to withstand high‐friction environments. It highlights the advantages and challenges of natural fiber composites particularly in terms of performance, durability, and noise reduction. The environmental benefits including biodegradability and reduced carbon footprint are discussed underscoring the role of natural fiber brake pads in promoting sustainable automotive practices. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current and future potential of natural fiber brake pads offering valuable insights for researchers and industries in the field of sustainable automotive engineering.Highlights Shift to natural fibers from asbestos and copper for eco‐friendly alternatives. Natural fibers offer biodegradability, low cost, and good mechanical properties. Fiber variability and moisture absorption pose challenges, needing treatments. Natural fibers reduce environmental impact, supporting sustainable practices. More research is needed on fiber treatment and standardized testing protocols.

Effect of Alkalization Time on the Toughness and Strength of Jute Sack Waste Lamina Composite as an Alternative Car Bumper Material

Alkaline conditions, such as the concentration of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and the duration of soaking time, significantly affect the mechanical properties of natural fiber and its composites. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of alkali treatment on the impact toughness and tensile strength of laminated composites made from jute sack (burlap) waste woven fibers, which can potentially be used as a substitute material for vehicle bumpers. The experimental group comprised specimens that were alkalized by manipulating the duration of soaking and the concentration of alkali in the woven fibers of jute sack waste, with a fiber orientation pattern of 0°/+90°/0°/+90°/0°. The fiber immersion time is 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours when using a 5% NaOH concentration. Epoxy resin serves as a composite matrix, specifically epoxy resin and epoxy hardener. Two sets of specimens underwent tests to measure their tensile and impact strengths. The result of the study reveals that the jute sack laminated epoxy composite with a fiber orientation of 0°/+90°/0°/+90°/0° had the maximum tensile strength and impact strength after a 48-hour alkaline treatment at 14.99 MPa and 0.010 J/mm2, respectively. The alkali treatment has successfully enhanced the tensile strength of the jute fiber by approximately 42.49% and 39.66% when compared to the untreated jute fiber. The study concludes that the utilization of alkaline process with NaOH improves the surface area of the fiber, compatibility with polymer matrix and mechanical strength.

Prediction of Tensile Properties of Natural Fiber Reinforced PP Hybrid Composites by Facca-Kortschot-Yan (FKY) and Palsule Equations

Abstract Natural fiber reinforced polymer hybrid composites are advanced materials for commercial and engineering applications. Rule of hybrid mixtures has been applied to develop Facca-Kortschot-Yan (FKY) Equation and Palsule equation for predicting tensile strength and modulus of these hybrid polymer composites. This study predicts the values of tensile strength and modulus of a few natural fibers reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites by these two equations and compares them with the reported experimental values.

Evaluation of mechanical properties of natural fiber based polymer composite

Natural fiber based polymer composites are eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic materials, with greater mechanical properties, biodegradability, availability, ease of access, and affordability. Jute fiber is widely recognized as one of the most important and beneficial natural fibers due to its strength, durability, and biodegradability. In this study, the jute composite is designed and fabricated using a 5-layer jute and epoxy resin, utilizing the manual hand lay-up technique. The combination of 52.5 % jute and 47.5 % of epoxy resin and harder is found optimized to achieve the goals of improving the tensile strength and flexural strength, reducing the cost of epoxy resin, and promoting eco-friendliness and sustainability. Tensile testing was performed on a universal testing machine, while flexural testing was done with a three-point bending test. Experimentally, the composites reinforced with jute and epoxy resin were capable of achieving the required levels of tensile strength (42.91 MPa) and bending strength (69.30 MPa). To validate and visualize specimens, numerical analysis was performed on the ABAQUS simulation software. The numerical simulation utilized ASTM D3039 and ASTM D7264 as the specified requirements for tensile and flexural behavior. For validation, these tensile and flexural test results were then numerically analyzed and compared to the experimental data. Finally, composite design, fabrication, and optimization can improve mechanical properties, reduce composite weight, lower resin cost, and increase sustainability. The proposed design and composition can be implemented to achieve lightweight properties in various applications, such as car components, door handle sheets, bicycle seat backs, and luggage covers.

Comparisons of reported and predicted tensile properties of natural fiber reinforced HDPE composites

Comparisons of reported and predicted tensile properties of natural fiber reinforced HDPE composites

TINJAUAN LITERATUR: PENINGKATAN KETAHANAN API DAN SIFAT MEKANIK PADA KOMPOSIT POLIMER DENGAN PENAMBAHAN BAHAN LIMBAH GEOPOLIMER

Composite polymers are now under development and are widely used in automobile manufacturing for interior panels, door panels, and bodywork. The research and development of polymer composites for the automobile manufacturing must have resilient fire resistance requirements. Currently, polymer composites with fire resistance capabilities have been developed with geopolymer materials, which offer benefits and produce excellent performance. Geopolymers are inorganic polymers that contain aluminosilicates, silica oxides, and alumina oxides. They have thermally resistant mechanical characteristics. Geopolymer materials are commonly derived from waste materials, including those utilized as additions to polymer composite materials, specifically coal fly ash and clay-based waste. The purpose of this literature is to discuss the path and progress of waste-based polymer reinforced composite technology for fire resistance. The methodology employed in this study takes a conceptual approach to articles on the influence of adding different types of geopolymer materials on the fire resistance properties of natural fiber reinforced composites. According to the findings, articles involving the inclusion of geopolymer materials tend to lower resistance to tensile and flexural stresses, whilst the addition of this geopolymer material reduces fire resistant qualities.

Effects of Geographical Conditions on the Physiochemical Properties of Natural Fiber Extracted from the Root of Prosopis juliflora

Effects of Geographical Conditions on the Physiochemical Properties of Natural Fiber Extracted from the Root of Prosopis juliflora

Mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced natural and ceramic fillers for various engineering applications

Mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced natural and ceramic fillers for various engineering applications

Preliminary Experimental and Numerical Study of the Tensile Behavior of a Composite Based on Sycamore Bark Fibers

In the context of global sustainable development, using natural fibers as reinforcement for composites have become increasingly attractive due to their lightweight, abundant availability, renewability, and comparable specific properties to conventional fibers. This paper investigates the tensile properties of a sycamore bark fiber-reinforced composite. The tensile tests using digital image correlation showed that, by adding 18% by volume of sycamore bark for the polyester matrix, the tensile modulus achieves 4788.4 ± 940.1 MPa. Moreover, the tensile strength of the polyester resin increased by approximately 90% when reinforced with sycamore bark fiber, achieving a tensile strength of 64.5 ± 13.4 MPa. These mechanical properties are determined by the way loads are transferred between the polyester matrix and fibers and by the strength of the bond between the fiber-matrix interfaces. Since it is difficult and time consuming to characterize the mechanical properties of natural fibers, an alternative approach was proposed in this study. The method consists of the identification of the fiber elastic modulus using a finite element analysis approach, based on tensile tests conducted on the sycamore bark fiber-reinforced composites. The model correctly describes the overall composite behavior, a good agreement is found between the experimental, and the finite element predicted stress–strain curves. The identified sycamore bark fiber elastic modulus is 17,763 ± 6051 MPa. These results show that sycamore bark fibers can be used as reinforcements to produce composite materials.

Mechanical property enhancement of flax fibers via supercritical fluid treatment

The desire for lightweight, carbon-negative materials has been increasing in recent years, particularly as the transportation sector reduces its global carbon footprint. Natural fibers, such as flax fiber and their composites, offer a compelling combination of properties including low density, high specific strength, and carbon negativity. However, because of the low modulus and high variability in performance, natural fibers can’t compete with glass fibers as structural reinforcements in polymer composites. In this study, flax technical fibers were treated in supercritical CO2 (scCO2), and the effects of this treatment on the morphology and properties of flax fibers are reported. Treatment in scCO2 successfully resulted in higher fiber modulus and strength by 33% and 40%, respectively. Fiber porosity was reduced by 50% and morphological changes to the fibers were observed. Specifically, fiber lumen collapsed during treatment and micro/mesoporosity was reduced by 27%. Treated flax fibers were used to create 30 vol% unidirectional flax-epoxy composites. ScCO2 treatment raised composite modulus and strength by 33% and 25%, respectively. Because of the dependence between technical fiber size and mechanical properties, the relationship between fiber modulus and fiber size were created and applied to the rule-of-mixtures. This relationship were found to be viable representations of the fiber performance within each composite. Overall, the treatment developed in this study has the potential to significantly improve natural fiber properties, enabling their consideration for use in lightweight, semi-structural composites.

Repercussion of fiber content on the mechanical, thermal, and thermomechanical properties of natural fibers reinforced thermoplastic composites for automotive application

Natural fibers are becoming very popular as a reinforcement in composite materials owing to their benefits, such as low-price, lightweight, availability, and environmental friendliness. In this study, abaca fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were created with the help of the injection molding method. Prior to composite fabrication, abaca fibers were chemically treated with a 5 wt% caustic soda (NaOH) solution to improve the bonding between the abaca fibers and the matrix and to enhance their properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to assess the fiber surface microstructures before as well as after the chemical treatment, along with the fractured surfaces of tensile specimens. The mechanical properties, such as tensile, bending, and impact strength, of abaca/PP and abaca/HDPE composites were evaluated and compared. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) methods were utilized to investigate the thermal behavior of composites. Also, the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) method was utilized to explore the thermomechanical properties of the fabricated composites. The outcomes of the experimental findings showed that abaca/PP composite with 10 and 20 wt% fibers is the best choice of material to be used in the automobile industry.

Mechanical characterization and study on morphological properties: Natural and agro waste utilization of reinforced polyester hybrid composites

Eco-conscious products are currently garnering significant attention due to their abundant availability and versatile applications in various engineering contexts. The distinctive properties of natural fibers make them readily substitutable for synthetic fibers. A substantial one million tonnes of fiber waste, primarily composed of paddy straw fiber, is generated globally. The research emphasis revolves around the adoption of the Waste to Wealth technique, a highly efficient process aimed at repurposing waste materials. This approach plays a pivotal role in curbing air pollution, specifically by preventing the incineration of the residual portion of paddy straw fiber on agricultural lands. The study involves the collection of paddy straw fiber from agricultural fields, with subsequent extraction facilitated by an extracting machine. Employing a chemical treatment process enhances the adhesion properties between the fiber and matrix. Consequently, comprehensive fiber tests, including the single fiber test, fiber tenacity, and fiber fineness, were meticulously examined for both treated and untreated fibers. The reinforcements and matrix were taken by the weight percentage of 50:50 with different fiber length (25, 50, 75, 100 mm) using the compression moulding machine with 300 mm × 300 mm × 3 mm dimensions. After making the laminates, the samples were cut as per the ASTM standard. The mechanical and morphological behavior of the hybrid fiber-reinforced polyester composites were evaluated, and the water absorption property in the concerned laminates was studied.

Study on mechanical properties of natural fiber (Jute)/synthetic fiber (Glass) reinforced polymer hybrid composite by representative volume element using finite element analysis: A numerical approach and validated by experiment

The excellent mechanical strength with low weight of polymer-based composites makes them superior over conventional materials like steel and aluminum in terms of mechanical properties. Nowadays, researchers are working to develop natural fiber-based sustainable composite. Glass fiber, when combined with jute fiber, could greatly enhance the mechanical characteristics of composites; the sequence of the layers mostly determines these properties. In this study, the hybrid laminate of jute and glass fiber with resin polyester is developed with The representative volume element utilized in ANSYS. In ANSYS material design module, the 3D microstructure of composite material is created with various fiber volume fractions of glass fiber and jute fiber. After that, the effective elastic properties of hybrid jute/glass fiber and polyester as matrix, glass fiber/polyester, and jute fiber/polyester are evaluated and the simulation-based effective elastic property is validated by existing experiment value which showed good agreement. For further study, in Ansys ACP PrepPost, the composite laminate such as hybrid jute + glass fiber/polyester, glass fiber/polyester, and jute fiber/polyester is created with desired lamina thickness, stacking sequence, and fiber orientation. Thereafter, it was transferred to a static structure module to perform tensile and bending test analysis. Ansys ACP post-processing is utilized to investigate stress induced at each lamina of the composite specimen. This study revealed that by adding glass fiber to natural fiber, the mechanical performance is enhanced significantly, whereas hybrid jute + glass fiber/polyester (S2) demonstrated the highest tensile strength 259 MPa compared to other hybrid laminate composites. Astonishingly, The hybrid composite jute + glass/polyester (S2) exhibited 10 % higher bending strength than glass fiber/polyester (S1) and 64 % more than net jute fiber/polyester (S5). Additionally, S2 demonstrated 9.5 % higher shear strength compared to S1 and 64 % more than S5. This study will give a great understanding of how adding glass fiber to jute fiber, could enhance the mechanical properties, which will contribute to the design of an efficient composite part for automotive such as car interiors, car doors, trim panels, lightweight applications, and packaging industries.

Advancing plant cell wall modelling: Atomistic insights into cellulose, disordered cellulose, and hemicelluloses – A review

The complexity of plant cell walls on different hierarchical levels still impedes the detailed understanding of biosynthetic pathways, interferes with processing in industry and finally limits applicability of cellulose materials. While there exist many challenges to readily accessing these hierarchies at (sub-) angström resolution, the development of advanced computational methods has the potential to unravel important questions in this field. Here, we summarize the contributions of molecular dynamics simulations in advancing the understanding of the physico-chemical properties of natural fibres. We aim to present a comprehensive view of the advancements and insights gained from molecular dynamics simulations in the field of carbohydrate polymers research. The review holds immense value as a vital reference for researchers seeking to undertake atomistic simulations of plant cell wall constituents. Its significance extends beyond the realm of molecular modeling and chemistry, as it offers a pathway to develop a more profound comprehension of plant cell wall chemistry, interactions, and behavior. By delving into these fundamental aspects, the review provides invaluable insights into future perspectives for exploration. Researchers within the molecular modeling and carbohydrates community can greatly benefit from this resource, enabling them to make significant strides in unraveling the intricacies of plant cell wall dynamics.

Advancements and challenges in natural fiber‐reinforced hybrid composites: A comprehensive review

AbstractNatural fiber‐reinforced composites have emerged as a promising alternative in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, construction, and civil engineering, owing to their eco‐friendly nature and favorable mechanical properties. However, challenges such as low thermal stability and high moisture absorption limit their widespread use. To overcome these limitations, surface modifications such as mercerization, benzoylation, silane treatment, and acetylation have been extensively explored. Hybrid composites (HCs), combining natural and synthetic fibers, offer a compelling solution by harnessing the unique properties of both materials. This review comprehensively examines the types of fibers and polymers utilized in HCs, along with various chemical treatments to enhance their properties. Additionally, a detailed analysis of different manufacturing processes for HCs is provided, including hand lay‐up, vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding, autoclave molding, injection molding, and compression molding. Furthermore, this review highlights recent advancements in HCs and their applications. Significant outcomes include a deeper understanding of the synergistic effects between natural and synthetic fibers, improved mechanical and thermal properties, and enhanced applications in diverse industries. The potential of HCs as a sustainable and high‐performance material solution emphasizes the importance of ongoing research and innovation in this field to overcome existing challenges and unlock new possibilities for composite engineering.Highlights Surface modifications such as mercerization, benzoylation, and silane treatment enhance the properties of natural fibers in composite materials. Hybrid composites (HCs) offer unique advantages by combining natural and synthetic fibers, including improved thermal, mechanical, and damping properties. Various chemical treatments and manufacturing processes contribute to enhancing the properties and applications of HCs. Recent advancements in HCs have led to an improved understanding and utilization of composite engineering across multiple industries. The review discusses challenges, opportunities, and future prospects for HCs, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and innovation in this field.

Material Selection of Natural Fibre Composite Webbing Sling Using Rule of Mixture

Natural fibre composites have grown in popularity as environmental concerns and knowledge about using eco-friendly materials versus synthetic materials. Furthermore, due to their low density and high strength, natural fibres are suitable for use as lightweight composite and reinforcing materials. Webbing slings are commonly used in many industries to lift loads and are typically made of synthetic fibres such as nylon and polyester. This study analysed the physical and mechanical properties, such as density, tensile strength, and Young’s modulus of natural fibre composites. Bananas, pineapple, and jute with polymer matrices such as polypropylene (PP) and epoxy (EP) were used as alternative natural fibre composites for webbing sling application. Furthermore, descriptive statistical analysis was done to summarise the secondary data from the previous study of the physical and mechanical properties of natural fibre and polymer matrix. The rule of mixture (ROM) is used to identify the optimum fibre loading for manufacturing the webbing sling. This study’s volume fractions of fibre were 10%, 30%, and 50%. Using the ROM equation, the results revealed that the higher fibre loading of up to 50% could increase the mechanical properties such as tensile strength and Young’s modulus. Based on the results, pineapple/epoxy composite was the best material to manufacture the webbing sling and complied with the requirements of Product Design Specifications of polyester webbing sling compared to banana and jute composites.

Comparative study of the thermomechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites: A structural application for quadcopter design

The growing global demand for sustainability has led bio-sourced fibers to be identified as an alternative to synthetic fibers. In this paper, micromechanics and multiscale modeling approaches are used to predict the thermomechanical behavior of thermoplastic (polypropylene PP matrix) composites reinforced with four different natural fibers: flax, vegetal-technic, woodforce and a hybrid of flax and vegetal-technic, for random and aligned fiber orientations. Different microstructural orientations (0°, 45°, 90° and random) are generated and computed using the finite element method. Besides, an analytical modeling based on the Mori-Tanaka homogenization scheme is used to validate numerical results. The thermomechanical results showed a good agreement between the numerical computation and analytical approach for the aligned fiber orientations. In addition, the mechanical results obtained for the random fiber orientation remain in agreement with the experimental and analytical results reported in the literature. Besides, a user-defined material (UMAT) is implemented on tensile, compression and shear specimens. Through a virtual characterization, a material card for a 50% volume fraction of fiber is established for a flax-PP composite. Finally, an application made on a quadcopter frame, gives the failure indicators under thermomechanical loads at −20 °C and 55 °C, demonstrating the capability of plant fibers composites to withstand extreme conditions.