Performance Of Natural Fiber Composites Research Articles

Environmental behaviour of synthetic and natural fibre reinforced composites: A review

There has been an increasing interest in natural fibre-reinforced composites as viable alternatives to typical synthetic fibre composites as a result of increased environmental consciousness, which has led to the quest for materials that are more sustainable. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental performance of both natural and synthetic fibre-reinforced composites by summarizing relevant information. The article begins by discussing the advantages of natural fibres. These advantages include the fact that natural fibres are eco-friendly, Natural fibre composites demonstrate a significantly reduced carbon footprint and energy usage over their entire life cycle when compared to their glass fibre-reinforced counterparts. Furthermore, the biodegradability of natural fibres provides the opportunity for end-of-life recycling or disposal options that are more ecologically benign than those for synthetic fibre composites. This is because natural fibres are biodegradable and the research acknowledges that various factors, such as the specific fibre and matrix used, and the manufacturing procedures employed, can influence the environmental performance of natural fibre composites. Additionally, further research and development to optimize their performance and ensure their widespread adoption as sustainable alternatives to traditional composite materials. Natural fibre-reinforced composites are more environmentally friendly than traditional composite materials.

Characterization of Water Absorption, Thickness Swelling and Diffusion Coefficient of Natural Fiber/Epoxy Bio-Composites for Applications in Aquatic Environment

The aim of this work was to study the suitability of wood flour, fluted pumpkin stem and rice husk flour/epoxy bio-composites for application in aquatic environment. The water absorption, thickness swelling and diffusion coefficient of wood flour, fluted pumpkin stem flour, rice husk flour/epoxy bio-composites were investigated. Composites were prepared by the hand layup method at varying weight percentages of filler reinforcement (10, 20 & 30%). The increase in the addition of the fillers enhanced the water absorption, thickness swelling and diffusion coefficient of the composites. However, after 14 days of immersion, all the composites attained an equilibrium state. It was observed that with 30wt% filler loading, the fluted pumpkin stem flour epoxy composites showed the highest water absorption of 40.5%, diffusion coefficient of 10.80x10-8m2/s, followed by the wood flour epoxy composite with water absorption of 35.3%, diffusion coefficient of 8.17x10-8m2/s, while rice husk flour epoxy composites had the lowest water absorption of 16.5%, diffusion coefficient of 6.12x10-8m2/s. The same trend was observed for the composites with 20 and 10 wt% filler loading. In terms of thickness swelling, the wood flour composite showed 1.62%, followed by fluted pumpkin stem flour composite 1.40% and rice husk flour composite 0.35% with 30wt% filler loading. A similar trend was observed for the composites with 20 and 10wt% filler loading. This study can be useful to comprehend the effect of water absorption on the performance of natural fiber composites and help in creating designer compositions for use in building, construction and automotive.

Wear properties of natural fiber based composites – A brief review

AbstractNatural fiber composites' appealing properties have enabled their use in a wide range of engineering applications, including automotive and structural applications. Wear is a common issue in automotive and structural applications, increasing the likelihood of material failure. As a result, composites with increased wear resistance are required. Natural fiber composites have completely different wear properties than metals. Understanding the wear mechanism of natural fiber composites is critical for their potential use in a variety of applications. Wear is of different types, each with its own mechanism of material loss. Wear is determined by material properties, such as matrix and reinforcement properties. The critical factors influencing the wear performance of natural fiber composites are fiber loading, fiber orientation, fiber length, and fiber interface. This review attempted to investigate the different types of wear in fiber composites and their impact on natural fiber composites. This article could serve as a one‐stop shop for learning about the wear characteristics of natural fiber composites.

Mechanical and Hygroscopic Characteristics of Unidirectional Jute/Glass and Jute/Carbon Hybrid Laminates

ABSTRACT Physical and mechanical performance of natural fiber composites can be tailored by hybridizing with synthetic fibers. Jute fibers are promising and highly available at a low cost in some countries, and they have been used in several applications, with the extra benefit of helping socially depressed people who commonly explore this plant. This work investigates the effect of hybridization on the properties of jute/glass and jute/carbon laminates with polyester resin. Nine different laminates were manufactured by vacuum infusion using unidirectional jute, E-glass, and carbon fabric reinforcements. Tensile, flexural, and short beam tests were performed in accordance with ASTM standards. The hybrid composites showed generally intermediate properties compared to the non-hybrid two-component laminates. The mechanical properties of the hybrid composites were 50–75% smaller than those of their respective pure glass and pure carbon composites, but 30–300% higher compared to the pure jute composite. Among the hybrids, the number of layers of the synthetic fiber played the most important role on properties, rather than the layup. That is, the variation in the number of jute fabrics may produce the required combination of stiffness and strength for different applications. Besides, the hybrid laminates, with more layers of synthetic fibers showed better hygroscopic performance.

Experimental Investigation of Effect of Fiber Length on Mechanical, Wear, and Morphological Behavior of Silane-Treated Pineapple Leaf Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

The development of the best properties in polyester composite from pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) as a reinforcing material is a subject of interest. The properties of PALF are reliant upon fiber length, wherein technical difficulties in production of long fibers and processing for better characteristics in polyester composites possess inherent challenges. The PALFs are subjected to silane treatment for altering fiber properties. This research attempts to analyze the impact of silane-treated PALF with varying fiber lengths (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mm) on the performance of natural fiber composites (NFC) properties. Open mold and hand lay-up techniques were employed to develop the polyester composites. The prepared PALF-based polyester composites were examined for different properties (impact, flexural, tensile strength, and wear rate). Coefficient of friction and wear studies are performed on the prepared composites subjected to different loads (10, 20, and 30 N) via a pin on disc test rig. Polymer composite fracture surfaces were analyzed to observe the interfacial bonding between fibers and matrix via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM results showed that the application of silane treatment resulted in better surface topography (fiber length of 5–10 mm showed smooth surface resulted in crack proliferation possessing low fracture toughness of 15–32 MPa; whereas a 15–20 mm fiber length resulted in better fiber–matrix bonding, improving the fracture toughness from 42–55 MPa) as a result of change in chemical structure in PALF. The 20 mm length of PALF resulted in better properties (flexural, tensile, impact, and wear resistance) which are attributed to fiber–matrix interfacial bonding. These properties ensure the developed polymer composites can be applied to walls, building insulation, and artificial ceilings.

Influence of Elevated Temperature on the Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Flax-Fiber-Epoxy Composites Incorporating Graphene.

Natural fibers are now becoming widely adopted as reinforcements for polymer matrices to produce biodegradable and renewable composites. These natural composites have mechanical properties acceptable for use in many industrial and structural applications under ambient temperatures. However, there is still limited understanding regarding the mechanical performance of natural fiber composites when exposed to in-service elevated temperatures. Moreover, nanoparticle additives are widely utilized in reinforced composites as they can enhance mechanical, thermal, and physical performance. Therefore, this research extensively investigates the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and flexural properties of flax fiber composites with graphene at different weight percentages (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) and exposed to in-service elevated temperatures (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 °C). Mechanical tests were conducted followed by microscopic observations to analyze the interphase between the flax fibers and epoxy resin. The results showed that a significant improvement in flexural strength, modulus, and interlaminar shear strength of the composites was achieved by adding 0.5% of graphene. Increasing the graphene to 1.0% and 1.5% gradually decreased the enhancement in the flexural and ILSS strength. SEM observations showed that voids caused by filler agglomeration were increasingly formed in the natural fiber reinforced composites with the increase in graphene addition.

A Review on the Effect of Fabric Reinforcement on Strength Enhancement of Natural Fiber Composites

The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of reinforcements on the strength of natural fiber composites. Recent advancements in natural fiber composites have minimized the usage of man-made fibers, especially in the field of structural applications such as aircraft stiffeners and rotor blades. However, large variations in the strength and modulus of natural fiber degrade the properties of the composites and lower the safety level of the structures under dynamic load. Without compromising the safety of the composite structure, it is significant to enrich the strength and modulus of natural fiber reinforcement for real-time applications. The strength and durability of natural fiber can be enriched by reinforcing natural fiber. The reinforcement effect on natural fiber in their woven, braided, and knit forms enhances their structural properties. It improves the properties of natural fiber composites related to reinforcement with short and random-orientation fibers. The article also reviews the effect of the hybridization of natural fiber with cellulosic fiber, synthetic fiber, and intra-ply hybridization on its mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and free vibration characteristics, which are important for predicting the life and performance of natural fiber composites for weight-sensitive applications under dynamic load.

Structural strengthening using natural fibre composite - a review

This paper reviews the application of natural fibre (NF) for external strengthening. This review includes the physical and mechanical properties, chemical properties, standard testing, the durability of NF composites and the performance of NF composites as external strengthening on reinforced concrete (RC) beams. It was found that most of the previous work focused on RC beams strengthening in flexure, while limited studies were performed on shear strengthening. Composite made of 30%-50% of NF and epoxy resin gave the highest mechanical strength followed by polyester and vinyl-ester. Strengthening with NF composites bonded at the bottom beam soffit along the tension zone can improve the beam capacity from 7%-40% and reduce the deflection by 24%. Wrapping at full length gives the most effective strengthening configurations compared to strip wrapping. Based on the data reported in the literature, natural fibre composites have great prospects to strengthen RC beams externally.

A review on the influence of natural-synthetic fibre hybrid reinforced polymer composites for bulletproof and ballistic applications

The past two decades have witnessed increased research in natural fibre polymer composites due to their low cost and environmental friendliness over synthetic counterparts. This has been further advanced by the global circular economy drive stressing on materials sustainability in production process. Hybridization technique has proved successful in enhancing the functional performance of natural fibre composites for advanced bulletproof and ballistic body armors applications. Laminate thickness, layering sequence, fibre loading and weaving architecture influence the ballistic performance of natural/synthetic fibre hybrid composites. Literature shows an increasing trend in research studies in natural/synthetic hybrid composites in the last twenty years to address the challenge of fibre/matrix incompatibility causing lower properties. Appropriate stacking sequence and incorporation of small quantities of nanofillers improve ballistic properties of natural fibre-based composites equivalent to synthetic-based counterparts. This paper reviews the influence of this novel class of composite materials for ballistic and bulletproof applications from 2001 to 2021.

Sound absorption performance of natural fiber composite from chrome shave and coffee silver skin

This paper presents the sound absorption performance of natural fiber composites developed from chrome shave (CS) and coffee silver skin (CSS). Twelve test samples of thickness 30 mm and 50 mm were fabricated with different fiber sizes and fiber ratios and by maintaining the density of the samples by 150 kg/m3. Normal incidence sound absorption coefficient spectra were measured in an impedance tube. Absorption coefficient spectra were predicted using the Johnson-Allard-Champoux (JCA) model using best fit values of tortuosity and the two characteristic lengths together with measured values of porosity and flow resistivity.The results revealed that the CS-CSS composite had average absorption coefficient of 0.95 above 1 kHz for a thickness of 30 mm and 50 mm. 'The predictions and data are in good agreement up to 6 kHz.

Predictions of the Mechanical Performance of Leaf Fiber Thermoplastic Composites by FEA

The available potential plant waste could be worthy material to strengthen polymers to make sustainable products and structural components. Therefore, modeling the natural fiber polymeric-based composites is currently required to reveal the mechanical performance of such polymeric green composites for various green products. This work numerically investigates the effect of various fiber types, fiber loading, and reinforcement conditions with different polymer matrices towards predicting the mechanical performance of such natural fiber composites. Cantilever beam and compression schemes were considered as two different mechanical loading conditions for structural applications of such composite materials. Finite element analysis was conducted to modeling the natural fiber composite materials. The interaction between the fibers and the matrices was considered as an interfacial friction force and was determined from experimental work by the pull out technique for each polymer and fiber type. Both polypropylene and polyethylene were considered as composite matrices. Olive and lemon leaf fibers were considered as reinforcements. Results have revealed that the deflection resistance of the natural fiber composites in cantilever beam was enhanced for several reinforcement conditions. The fiber reinforcement was capable of enhancing the mechanical performance of the polymers and was the best in case of 20 wt.% polypropylene/lemon composites due to better stress transfer within the composite. However, the 40 wt.% case was the worst in enhancing the mechanical performance in both cantilever beam and compression cases. The 30 wt.% of polyethylene/olive fiber was the best in reducing the deflection of the cantilever beam case. The prediction of mechanical performance of natural fiber composites via proper numerical analysis would enhance the process of selecting the appropriate polymer and fiber types. It can contribute finding the proper reinforcement conditions to enhance the mechanical performance of the natural fiber composites to expand their reliable implementations in more industrial applications.

A comparative study on tensile strength of silk and sisal fibre by regression modelling

The instantly growing performance of natural fibre composites is replacing the traditional materials to enhance the efficiency and get a consistent system. This is possible by producing composites with enhanced material properties, like being lighter and more resistant in nature. On the basis of high strength, rigidity and along with low density properties, polymeric composites with natural reinforcing fibre have more demand. Natural fibres are collected from many sources but two of them are the most prominent sources, they are plant fibres and animal fibres. The characteristics study of single fibre is having more importance before the composite fabrication and that ultimately provides a proper fibre selection and hybridization in different field of application. In this paper the principal objective is to test the tensile behaviour of Bombyx mori silk and sisal fibre at different strain rate along with three different gauge lengths. The regression analysis has been done using MINITAB software and for each fibre a linear regression equation was established. From the regression analysis the R 2 value was found out and ultimately silk fibre results better tensile strength as compared to sisal fibre. That also indicates excellent mechanical performance can be achieved by hybridization with silk fibre.

Influence of Water Absorption on the Low Velocity Falling Weight Impact Damage Behaviour of Flax/Glass Reinforced Vinyl Ester Hybrid Composites.

Due to rigorous new environmental legislations, automotive, marine, aerospace, and construction sectors have redirected their focus into using more recyclable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly lightweight materials driven by strengthening resource efficiency drive. In this study, the influence of moisture absorption on flax and flax/glass hybrid laminates is presented with the aim to investigating their low velocity impact behaviour. Three different types of composite laminates namely, flax fibre reinforced vinyl ester, flax fibre hybridised glass fibre and glass fibre reinforced vinyl ester composites were fabricated using resin infusion technique. The moisture immersion tests were undertaken by immersing the different specimens in sea water bath at room temperature and 70 °C at different time durations. The low velocity falling weight impact testing was performed at 25 Joules of incident energy level and impact damage behaviour was evaluated at both ageing conditions using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microcomputed tomography (micro CT). The percentage of moisture uptake was decreased for flax vinyl ester specimens with glass fibre hybridisation. The maximum percentage of weight gain for flax fibre, flax/glass hybrid and glass fibre reinforced composites immersed at room temperature for 696 h is recorded at 3.97%, 1.93%, and 0.431%, respectively. The hybrid composite exhibited higher load and energy when compared flax/vinyl ester composite without hybridisation, indicating the hybrid system as a valid strategy towards achieving improved structural performance of natural fibre composites. The moisture absorption behaviour of these composites at room was observed to follow Fickian behaviour.

Important Considerations in Manufacturing of Natural Fiber Composites: A Review

The paper overviews the essential considerations in the manufacturing process of natural fiber composites which influence the performance of biocomposites. The evaluation of thermal properties of composites matrix and natural fiber chemical composition and physical properties appears to be necessary as the initial screening factors before the manufacturing process of biocomposites. On the other hand, considerations on fiber composition, type of manufacturing process and parameter used are seen as other crucial significant factors that need to be focused during the manufacturing of biocomposites. Moreover, the treatment used in the manufacturing process such as alkali treatment and coupling agent utilization should also be highlighted as additional important measures for better performance of biocomposites. In this review, all significant factors that influence the performance outcome of natural fiber composites are highlighted to provide the base-line source of literature for the manufacturing and production of composites sample. It is expected that the findings from the present study could further enhance the performance of natural fiber composites and able to become the preferred alternative or replacement for petroleum-based polymer in various industrial and commercial applications in the future.

Rigidity Analysis of Kenaf Thermoplastic Composites Using Halpin-Tsai Equation

In this paper, the stiffness mechanical property of natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites is analyzed using composite micromechanical model. Kenaf natural fiber is selected as the reinforcement material in the composites construction while three types of commonly used automotive grade thermoplastic matrices, namely polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polyamide 6 were selected to be reinforced with kenaf fibers. Their stiffness property was later analyzed using Halpin-Tsai micromechanical model at varying fiber content and fiber aspect ratio conditions. In all cases, theoretical results show that the kenaf reinforced thermoplastic composites stiffness increased linearly as the fiber contents were increased. Apart from that, results also show that the stiffness property also increases as the fiber aspect ratio was increased. Higher final composites stiffness property was also observed as stiffness matrix material is utilized in the composites formulation. The prediction results also provided valuable and quick insight as well as cost effective alternative to composite designers in assessing the stiffness performance of natural fiber composites especially those which are reinforced with thermoplastic matrices compared to conventional experimental technique for automotive product development purposes in addition to identifying the optimal parameter to be put into focus in their composites design to achieve the intended design performance specifications.

Mechanical Properties of Injection-Moulded Jute/Glass Fibre Hybrid Composites

In order to improve the mechanical performance of natural fibre composites, glass fibres (GF) and natural fibres were simultaneously incorporated into a single matrix system. Such a practice would of course decrease the “degree of green”, which measures the amount (in weight percentage) of natural materials in a composite system. Nevertheless, it was found that hybrid composites containing up to 20 wt.% jute fibres exhibited similar tensile properties to those of glass fibre composites. The distribution of glass and jute fibres was anisotropic, wherein the GF tend to accumulate at the skin regions of the mouldings, thus orientating towards the resin flow direction. Jute fibres, on the other hand, tend to remain at the core regions and were mostly oriented transverse to the flow direction. This anisotropic distribution and orientation are thought to be responsible for the weakening of the composites at high natural fibre loadings.

Fatigue evaluation and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis of sisal fibre–thermosetting resin composites

Sisal composites were manufactured in a hot press from as-received and 0.06 M NaOH treated sisal fibres with polyester and epoxy resin matrices. Tensile tests were conducted on the composites to establish loading levels for fatigue testing. A fatigue evaluation of the sisal fibre–thermosetting resin composites was undertaken at loading levels of 75%, 60%, 50% and 35% of static tensile strength and at an R ratio of 0.1. S– N curves for the composites are presented for untreated and 0.06 M NaOH treated sisal fibres. Epoxy matrix composites have a longer fatigue life than polyester matrix composites. The effect of chemical treatment on fatigue life is significantly positive for polyester matrix composites but has much less influence on the fatigue life of epoxy matrix composites. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) was conducted on samples from failed epoxy resin fatigue specimens and the influence of fatigue history on the tan δ peak temperatures and T g of the composites is examined. Significant shifts in T g are observed following fatigue testing. The fatigue performance of natural fibre composites suggests that they are suitable for use in dynamically loaded structures and may be used as a substitute for Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic composites in fatigue.