Natural Fiber-reinforced Polymer Research Articles

Impact of Fused Deposition Modeling Process Parameters and Heat Treatment on Mechanical Characteristics and Product Quality: A Review

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is indeed one of the most commonly used methods of additive manufacturing, particularly for printing polymers and fiber-reinforced polymer composites. When compared to more conventional production meth ods like injection molding, the key benefits of FDM include producing components with intricate shapes, minimal material wastage, shorter production times, and lower costs because no tooling is needed. However, the strength and surface quality of the product produced using this technique are lower, that can be improved by selecting the optimized design variable and applying heat treatment depending on how the product will be used in an industry. This review paper provides an overview of the effect of different process parameters on mechanical properties, print time, and surface characteristics of the parts made of polymers and fiber-reinforced polymer composites in addition to the challenges encountered during the printing of composites. It also discusses the new material’s development, such as natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites, the impact of heat treatment, and the void formation influence on the mechanical properties, build time, dimensional accuracy, and surface finish of 3D-printed parts.

The Improvement of the Tribological Behaviour of Chemically Treated Abaca Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites.

Abaca fibres that have excellent mechanical properties are widely applied in the production and preparation of eco-friendly polymer composites as reinforcement materials. However, the weak interfacial bonding property of the abaca fibre and composite matrix limits the further extended application of abaca fibre-reinforced polymer composites. In this research, the findings demonstrate that, compared to raw abaca fibres, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) value between the treated fibre and matrix is improved by 32% to 86%. Moreover, chemically treated abaca fibres could not only improve the wear resistance of the polymer composites, but also could promote the formation of primary and secondary plateaus. The best wear resistance behaviour was demonstrated by the sample with abaca fibres treated with 3% NaOH and 5% silane solutions, which had a maximum reduction in the sum wear rate of 28.44%. This research will provide detail on theoretical guidance and technical support for the development of eco-friendly natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites.

A Comprehensive Review of Natural Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites

The idea of composite materials is introduced in this article, with an emphasis on composites made of natural fibres and polymers. Composites are made up of various elements or phases that significantly affect the material's general characteristics. The matrix, the continuous phase, is typically made up of ceramics, metals, or polymers. Natural fibres that provide strength and stiffness make up the reinforcement component in natural fibre-reinforced composites. These composite materials have uses in the consumer goods, packaging, sports, and construction industries, in addition to providing environmental advantages. The paper presents a review of the literature on the creation and characterization of composites reinforced by natural fibres. To improve the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of the composites, numerous studies have looked at various kinds of natural fibres, surface modifications, coupling agents, and processing methods. The benefits and drawbacks of using natural fibres in composites are discussed in the article. It gives a general overview of how natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites have evolved and what uses they might have in the future. The article highlights current research initiatives and difficulties in enhancing the performance and compatibility of natural fibres with polymer matrices. The research advances the use of natural fibre composites as environmentally friendly substitutes across a range of industries by fostering a better understanding of their advantages and disadvantages.

Fatigue and Tensile Characteristics for Composite Materials Used in Prosthetic Socket

In this research, the use of natural materials like wool and cannabis as intermediate reinforcement for prosthetic limbs due to their comfort, affordability, and local availability was discussed. As part of this study on below-the-knee (BK) prosthetic sockets, two sets of samples were made using a vacuum method. These sets were made of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites with lamination 80:20: group (Y) had 4 perlon, 1 wool 4 perlon, and group (G) had 4 perlon, 1 cannabis 4 perlon. The two groups were compared with a socket made of polypropylene. Tensile testing was used to determine the mechanical characteristics of the socket materials. The Y group has a yield stress of 17 MPs, an ultimate strength of 18.75 MPa, and an elastic modulus of 4.021 GPa, while for the G group, these values are 12.75 MPa, 18.84 MPa, and 4.076 GPa, respectively. The fatigue test was used to evaluate the failure characteristics of the socket. An F-socket was utilized to test the interface compression between both the limb and the socket. For the Tekscan sensor, the calculated pressure in the medial region is 350 K Pa, while it is 330 KPa in the posterior region. Solid Works software was used to draw a prosthetic socket for the numerical study. The failure safety agent for the composite material for group Y was 1.26. The finite element method (ANSYS Workbench 14.5) was used to look at the fatigue characteristics to detect the maximum stress, safety factor, and total deformation.

Effect of fiber treatment on physical and mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced composites: A review

Abstract Due to environmental and financial concerns, there is a growing demand for composite materials in a wide range of industries, including construction and automotive industries. In 2020, the market for wood plastic composites was estimated to be worth $5.4 billion. By 2030, it is expected to have grown to $12.6 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9% between 2021 and 2030. The fundamental disadvantage of reinforced composites by natural fibers is the different nature of the hydrophilic lignocellulosic and the hydrophobic thermoplastic polymers, although natural fibers would lower total costs. These composites typically fail mechanically as a result of fiber debonding, breaking, and pull-out. In a fiber-reinforced composite, the matrix’s function could be described as distributing the force to the added fibers using interfacial shear stresses. A strong connection between the polymeric matrix and the fibers is necessary for this procedure. Weak adhesion at the interface prevents the composite from being used to its maximum potential and leaves it open to attacks from the environment that could damage it and shorten its lifespan. Poor mechanical performance is caused by insufficient adhesion between hydrophobic polymers and hydrophilic fibers in natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Consequently, during the past 20 years, a variety of chemical, thermal, and physical methods have been employed to address these issues. These methods largely concentrated on the grafting of chemical groups that could enhance the interfacial contacts between the matrix and natural fibers. This review article aimed to give information on several types of fiber treatments and natural fiber-treated composites with a specific focus on their physical and mechanical properties.

Various factors affecting the fatigue performance of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites: a systematic review

Various factors affecting the fatigue performance of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites: a systematic review

A Review of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite Chemical, Physical, and Thermo-Mechanical Properties

The current study reviews provide a brief overview on the properties of natural fiber and natural fiber reinforced composites like chemical, physical, mechanical properties and thermal behavior which is an emerging area in polymer science. The unique properties of these composites are based on the attributes of the individual components, as well as the relative numbers and arrangements of those components within the material system. The widespread acceptance of composites reinforced with natural fibers has attracted many researchers due to its cost, sustainability, low environmental impact and great availability in nature. The processing of natural fibers is not difficult as compared to the production of conventional fibers. In the construction, aerospace, military, building, packaging, consumer products, and transportation industries for ceiling, paneling, partition boards, etc., natural fibers have shown to be a successful substitute for synthetic fiber. Because of these factors, natural fibers are preferred to conventional fibers. However, natural fiber reinforced composites also have some negative aspects such as increased susceptibility to water damage, less durability in the event of a fire, and diminished strength when they are subjected to mechanical stress. In this paper, the overview related to the natural fiber-reinforced composites and their properties is provided.

A Comprehensive Review of Real-time Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance Techniques: Revolutionizing Natural Fibre Composite Materials Maintenance with IoT

Integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) and natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs) can revolutionize monitoring and maintaining composites. By incorporating sensors and wireless communication technology into the composites, real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance can be achieved. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art in the use of IoT for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance of NFPCs. This paper covers the various types of sensors used, IoT networks and protocols employed, and data analysis techniques to detect potential issues and predict failures. This paper also highlights the benefits and challenges of using IoT for composite maintenance and this technology’s future directions and potential applications. This review provides valuable insights for researchers, engineers, and practitioners in composites, the IoT, and predictive maintenance.

Tensile Properties of Luffa Acutangula Reinforced Polymer Composite

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the popularity of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPC). Numerous researchers have put forward various alternatives to synthetic fibers. Luffa is one of the many natural fibers can be integrated into NFRPCs. Luffa with its unique interconnecting branch (mat/mesh) is suitable for NFRPCs. In this study, luffa reinforced high-density polyethylene (Luffa/HDPE) composite was fabricated using compression molding machine. In the preparation of the fiber, Luffa were cylindrically cut-out and opened into sheets form. The fiber was then laminated with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film using compression molding method. The proposed fabricated composite consisting of a fiber volume fraction (FVF) of 7%, 14%, 21%, 27% and 30%. Tensile properties of the Luffa/HDPE composite were determined. SEM was used to study the interlamination and delamination of the composite. Tensile test shows that the increase of FVF enhanced the tensile strength of Luffa/HDPE composite. Tensile strength has gradually increased from 7 % to 21 % FVF. Though, tensile strength declines after 21% FVF.

Biopolymer-coated composites for enhanced dielectric and electromagnetic interference shielding applications - a green initiative

The utilization of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites has been tremendously growing in various applications of automotive and aerospace components. In this aspect, the researcher’s community is approaching the global market with new ideas for developing a complete eco-friendly, sustainable, and green composite. Plant-based composites have received great interest from the initial stage due to their unique features, such as lightweight, corrosion resistance, specific properties, excellent mechanical and thermal properties. This research article attempts a novel technique of coating the fibres with polylactic acid (PLA) as a part of surface modification which improves fibre properties. Then the fibres were reinforced with various weight percentages of conductive fillers, such as Copper (Cu), Alumina (Al2O3), and Graphene (Gr), to improve the electrical properties using the hand layup technique. Then the fabricated samples were tested for dielectric and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) using resonance and open shielded method. Based on the test results, it was noted that the dielectric strength (K) and shielding effectiveness (SE) of the composites started to increase with the increase of weight percentage of conductive fillers, which highlighted that by incorporating conductive fillers, the fibres started losing their insulation properties. The composites with 0.9 wt% of nanofillers achieved maximum SEabs of −19.61 dB and a SEtotal of −22.67 dB at a frequency range of 8–12 GHz.

IMPACT OF GLUTARALDEHYDE CROSSLINKING AGENT ON THE PROPERTIES OF NONWOVEN VISCOSE FABRIC–POLYVINYL ALCOHOL FLEXIBLE COMPOSITES

In recent years, researchers and industries have made efforts to decrease the reliance on fossil fuel-based materials due to the rise in environmental consciousness. A potential environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based, non-biodegradable polymeric materials is known to be natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a biodegradable synthetic polymer that is water-soluble, easy to use, having film-formation property and good potential as a biodegradable matrix in environmentally friendly composites. The objective of this work has been to create a versatile, lightweight, flexible bio-composite based on nonwoven viscose fabric using PVA and a crosslinking agent (glutaraldehyde), and to analyze the effects of the crosslinking agent and of the nonwoven viscose filler in the PVA matrix on the mechanical and UV properties of the composite. The structural, chemical and mechanical properties of the composite were investigated using FTIR, and tensile and UV testing. The results showed that the composite exhibited high tensile strength, but with a drop in elongation. FTIR verified the interaction of the two polymers in the composites. The flexible bio-composite can be potentially used for food packaging applications.

Comprehensive Thermal Characteristic Investigations on Hemp- and Jute-Based Nature Fibre-Reinforced Composites for Engineering Applications through Coupled and Verified Engineering Approaches

Natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPs) have gained increasing attention in recent years as an alternative to conventional materials such as steel and aluminum alloys due to their ecofriendly, renewable, and low-cost nature. This paper focuses on the thermal application of NFRPs, which have shown great potential due to their good thermal insulation properties. In this study, the fabrication of jute and hemp fibre-reinforced composites, experimental testing, comparison, validation by using computational method, and proposed hemp NFRPs insulated exhaust pipe in place of conventional steel pipe. However, challenges such as moisture absorption and limited thermal properties on high thermal load still need to be addressed to enable the full-scale commercialization of NFRPs in thermal applications. For these comprehensive investigations, coupled and verified engineering approaches have been imposed. Fluid-thermal coupling has been executed in ANSYS workbench associated with conventional test outcomes. Through this approach, the low weight and low cost-based thermal load resisting material has been proposed for various engineering applications.

Low velocity impact performance of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites: a review

Natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPC) are versatile and applicable materials for structural applications that require durability and reliability under various forces. However, these composites are susceptible to crack formation when exposed to low-velocity impact (LVI) loads, compromising their functionality and performance. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the influence of LVI on NFRPC and their characterization methods, testing standards, and failure mechanisms. This paper reviews the latest research and development on the characterization, testing, and modelling of NFRPCs under LVI loads. It also explores the impact behaviour of various natural fibres, such as kenaf, bamboo, mallow, buriti, and curaua, and the effect of fibre hybridization and nanofiller incorporation on the LVI response of NFRPCs. The paper evaluates the properties, failure mechanisms, and applications of NFRPCs in relation to LVI resistance. The paper provides useful information for developing advanced composite systems and achieving material efficiency for various structural applications. Finally, it highlights the potential applications and challenges of NFRPC as LVI-resistant materials for advanced composite systems.

Flexural strength and flammability of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF)/fire retardants reinforced polymer composites

The use of natural fibers as reinforcement in composite materials, such as pineapple leaf fiber (PALF), has been extensively studied. However, it is important to note that natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites are often associated with high flammability. The aim of this paper is to investigate the mechanical properties and fire retardancy of Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) reinforced polymer composites treated with various flame retardants. The PALF composites were treated with different fire-retardant additives, including ammonium polyphosphate (APP), aluminum hydroxide (ALH), and magnesium hydroxide (MH), at varying ratios (10 wt%, 20 wt%, and 30 wt%). The flexural properties of the PALF composites were assessed using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) in accordance with ASTM D7264. The flammability testing was conducted following the Underwriters Laboratories 94 (UL-94) using standard ASTM D635 and ASTM D3801. The results of flexural tests indicated that PALF-reinforced polymer composites containing 10% MH as fire retardant exhibited the highest flexural strength (102.96 MPa). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was employed to analyze the fracture behavior of PALF-reinforced polymer composites with different fire-retardant additives. The SEM analysis revealed various characteristics including fiber pull-out, fiber breakage, inhomogeneous structural distribution (in cases of APP, MH, ALH), presence of undesired bubbles, and fiber–matrix cracking. In terms of fire retardancy, the most promising results were obtained with the addition of 20% and 30% APP. These compositions achieved V-1 and V-0 ratings respectively, in the vertical UL-94 flammability test. Notably, the horizontal test demonstrated that the composites containing 30% APP did not sustain burning and exhibited no burning rate. Similarly, the composite with 20% APP self-extinguished before the first mark without any observable burning rate.

A REVIEW OF MICROWAVE CURING TECHNIQUE TO FABRICATE NATURAL FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES

Advanced sustainable materials with high performance are garnering a lot of attention nowadays due to rising environmental concerns. Natural fiber reinforced polymer (NFRP) composites are currently one of the huge demands to replace conventional materials as it inhibits great properties, low cost, abundantly available, and environmentally friendly. There are various ways to fabricate NFRP composites such as compression molding, resin transfer molding, etc. However, these methods have several disadvantages (e.g., non-uniform temperature distribution, longer processing time, and high cost). This paper reviews the current trend of utilizing microwave curing in fabricating NFRP as it provides volumetric heating, less power consumption, and is more efficient.

An integrated wet-spinning system for continuous fabrication of high-strength nanocellulose long filaments

The continuous production of high-strength nanocellulose long filaments (NCLFs) is critical in natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Despite the widespread availability of numerous filament production processes, the cost-effective and continuous fabrication of high-strength NCLFs on a large scale remains an ongoing challenge. Herein, we present an integrated wet-spinning system by incorporating a few previously researched filament production techniques to mass fabricate high-strength continuous NCLFs. The spinning speed is increased to improve NCLF productivity, and the bobbin winder speeds, collector bobbin winder location, and NCLF drying conditions are tuned. At the spinning speed of 510 cm/min, a production rate of 4.99 m/min is achieved, five times higher than the productivity of the former pilot system (0.92 m/min). Moreover, an AC electric field and mechanical stretching are introduced to highlight the versatility of the proposed integrated wet-spinning system, thereby enhancing the mechanical properties of NCLFs.

Mechanical Interlocking Approaches to the Prediction of Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Hybrid Nanocomposites or Automotive Applications

Polymer matrix composites synthesized with biodegradable natural fiber obtain a predominant structure with specific properties at a low-processing cost. The unique characteristics of polymer matrix composites were magnetized in automotive parts like top roof, panel, and seat frame applications. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) G99 analyzed the wear characteristics of synthesized composites through a pin-on-disc wear tester with an EN32 steel disc. The epoxy hybrid composites have been synthesized via a conventional casting process assisted with a mechanical interlock technique to obtain a predominant structure with specific properties at a low-processing cost. The advanced composite contained different jute weights (50, 25, 50, and 75 g) and coconut coir (50, 70, 45, and 20 g) hybridized with graphite particles. ASTM D2240, D638, and D790 standards evaluated the fabricated composite hardness, tensile, and flexural strength. The Sample 4 hybrid composite found maximum hardness, tensile, and flexural strength of 27.41 ± 0.99 Hv, 51.69 ± 1.01MPa, and 55.94 ± 0.78 MPa, respectively. Sample 4 offered good wear resistance of their volumetric wear rate of 0.043 cm3 on 40 N average load at 0.25 m/s sliding speed. It is increased by 12% compared to Sample 1 at 40 N applied load on 2.5 m/s sliding speed.

Flammability Studies of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites fabricated by Additive Manufacturing Technology: A Review

Flammability Studies of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites fabricated by Additive Manufacturing Technology: A Review

Investigation into the mechanical characteristics of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites: Effects of flax and e-glass reinforcement and stacking configuration

Glass fibers are commonly used to reinforce polymer composites due to their excellent mechanical properties. However, their production is expensive and environmentally unfriendly. To tackle these concerns, researchers are exploring natural fibers as a substitute reinforcement material for polymer composites. These natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites are lightweight, possess a high strength-to-weight ratio, and are biodegradable, making them attractive for a wide range of applications such as automotive, marine, oil, consumer goods, sporting goods, and biomedical fields. In this study, the hybrid effects of using flax and E-glass as reinforcement in epoxy, as well as the stacking configuration of flax/E-glass, on the mechanical properties of the polymer composites were investigated. Laminates with different fiber loadings were created using hand layup vacuum bagging and then subjected to tensile testing following ASTM standards. Statistical analysis tools such as interval graphs, contour plots, surface plots, probability plot, and Pareto chart were employed to assess the impact of the fiber and other parameters. Regression analysis was conducted to develop an empirical equation with a 95 percent confidence limit for all intervals. The results indicated that the properties of the polymer composites exhibited slight improvement from pure epoxy to flax/epoxy composites, significant improvement with E-Glass/epoxy composites, and slight decrease with hybridization. Nevertheless, the hybrid composite still demonstrated much higher tensile strength compared to the pure and flax/epoxy composites. The stacking configuration with treated flax as the core and E-Glass as the skin layer resulted in a tensile strength of 164.23 MPa, surpassing that of flax/epoxy and pure epoxy composites. In conclusion, for medium load structural applications, flax/E-glass/reinforced epoxy composites are recommended through hybridization. The utilization of natural fibers as reinforcement in polymer composites presents a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to glass fibers, while still providing the necessary mechanical properties for various applications.

Additive Manufacturing of Biodegradable Hemp-Reinforced Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) and Its Mechanical Characterization.

The additive manufacturing of natural fibre-reinforced polymers is a pivotal method in developing sustainable engineering solutions. Using the fused filament fabrication method, the current study investigates the additive manufacturing of hemp-reinforced polybutylene succinate (PBS) alongside its mechanical characterization. Two types of hemp reinforcement are considered: short fibres (max. length smaller than 2 mm) and long fibres (max. length smaller than 10 mm), which are compared against non-reinforced (pure) PBS. A detailed analysis is performed regarding the determination of suitable 3D printing parameters (overlap, temperature, nozzle diameter). In a comprehensive experimental study, additionally to general analyses regarding the influence of hemp reinforcement on the mechanical behaviour, the effect of printing parameters is determined and discussed. Introducing an overlap in the additive manufacturing of the specimens results in improved mechanical performance. The study highlights that the Young's modulus of PBS can be improved by 63% by introducing hemp fibres in conjunction with overlap. In contrast, hemp fibre reinforcement reduces the tensile strength of PBS, while this effect is less pronounced considering overlap in the additive manufacturing process.