Natural Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composite Materials - A Review
Natural Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composite Materials - A Review
Natural Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composite Materials - A Review
India-462016
2U.G. Students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MITS Gwalior-474005
Summary
Availability of natural fibre, low cost and ease of manufacturing have urged the
attention of researchers towards the possibility of reinforcement of natural fibre
to improve their mechanical properties and study the extent to which they satisfy
the required specifications of good reinforced polymer composite for industrial
and structural applications.
The chemically treated natural fibre shows better improvement in properties than
untreated fibres. The chemically treated natural fibre has improved interfacial
adhesion between fibre surface and polymer matrix. Natural fibre reinforcements
have shown better results in impact toughness and fatigue strength. This review
aims at explaining about the research and development in the improvement
in properties of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites along with its
application.
INTRODUCTION
Basically, when two or more than two chemically distinct materials are
combined, produces synergistic effect, with a distinct separating interface of
component. Due to this the component gets aggregate properties different
from the component by which it is formed. The main components cannot
Experimental Setup
For experiment, we require a natural fiber i.e. hairs, a mould and the epoxy
resin. Mix the fiber and epoxy resin properly with hardener (10:1) with the
help of a mechanical blender. The composites are with different compositions
of fibres and polymers. The mixtures are then to be poured into the molds
accordingly.
For determining the stability at high temperature the fiber reinforced polymer
composites are subjected to thermal measurement and to test its strength, it is
to be subjected to mechanical test. For micro-structural analysis the fabricated
natural fiber reinforced composites is supposed to be scanned microscopically
using electron microscope, JOEL-JSM 6360. The test specimens are then
subjected to mechanical testing with different loads. To measure the tensile
test of composites, Universal Testing Machine Instron 1195 is preferred to
be used. Other tests can also be done by different equipment to observe the
wear strength, fracture and flexibility both in wet and dry conditions.
Tensile Property
Nanoclay acts as crack arrestor during loading by inducing deformation
mechanism resulting in specimen failing under deformed condition. This
changes the failure pattern from brittle to ductile failure. This changes the stress-
strain pattern by increasing modulus with increase of nanoclay content [10].
Wear Property
Wear property of composites can be improved be addition of nanoclay. But
this property reduces in wet conditions [10].
Flexural Property
In dry condition addition of nanoclay decreased maximum stress but in wet
condition this addition increased the maximum stress. The flexure properties
decreased due to water absorption by damaging and degrading fibre-matrix
interfacial bonding but maximum strain is increased due to it [11-12].
Fracture Toughness
Generally, fracture toughness decreases due to moisture absorption but in
wet condition we see an upward trend. This is due to pull out, fracture and
bridging to increase the crack propagation resistance [12].
provide weight reduction door trims are made of polyurethane reinforced with
a mixed flax/sisal mat is used. Soya based form filling are used in seats with
natural fibres. Improvement in noise reduction is due to use of a cellulose
based cargo floor tray [13].
Kenaf fibre is used for making boards with polypropylene [14].
The hemp fibre is used in lightweight lotus designed seats. This fibre when
used with polyester forms a hybrid composite. Sisal has been used for the
carpet in Eco Elise as it is tough, abrasion resistant material and is obtained
from renewable crop [13-15].
Advantages:
They are eco-friendly, biodegradable, available in large amounts, renewable,
cheap and have low density as compared to synthetic fibres such as glass,
aramid, carbon and steel fibres:
Disadvantages:
High moisture absorbing property is the major drawback of the natural
fibres. This phenomenon reduces the interfacial bonding between
the polymer matrix and fibre and causes detrimental effects on the
mechanical properties.
These have: poor wettability, incompatibility with some polymeric
matrices.
Plant fibres cannot be used directly in its natural form. It requires chemical
modification to remove the waxy layer to improve the interfacial adhesion
between fibres and polymer matrix.
CONCLUSIONs
Natural fibre reinforced polymer composite material are replacing synthetic
materials to a great extent due to its eco-friendly, non-toxic and biodegradable
nature. This material is cheap and has good insulation property, machine wear,
low density and abundance in quantity. Chemical modification is required to
enhance its properties and workability. Thus, these are being used in many
automobile, constructional and household applications.
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