Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers: 2000–2010

Biodegradable composites based on lignocellulosic fibers—An overview

A critical review of the literature on the various aspects of natural fibers and biocomposites with a particular reference to chemical modifications is presented in this paper. A notable disadvantage of natural fibers is their polarity which makes it incompatible with hydrophobic matrix. This incompatibility results in poor interfacial bonding between the fibers and the matrix. This in turn leads to impaired mechanical properties of the composites. This defect can be remedied by chemical modification of fibers so as to make it less hydrophilic. This paper reviews the latest trends in chemical modifications and characterizations of natural fibers. The structure and properties of natural fibers have been discussed. Common chemical modifications and their mechanisms have also been elaborated. The importance of chemical modifications and the resultant enhancement in the properties of the composites have also been reviewed. Recent investigations dealing with chemical modifications of natural fiber-reinforced composites have also been cited. POLYM. COMPOS., 29:187‐

Recent Developments in Chemical Modification and Characterization of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Kenaf fiber reinforced composites: A review

Characterization and Properties of Natural Fiber Polymer Composites: A Comprehensive Review

Biodegradable composites reinforced with bagasse fibre before and after alkali treatments were prepared, and mechanical properties were investigated. Mechanical properties of the composites made from alkali treated fibres were superior to the untreated fibres. Composites of 1% NaOH solution treated fibres showed maximum improvement. Approximately 13% improvement in tensile strength, 14% in flexural strength and 30% in impact strength had been found, respectively. After alkali treatment, increase in strength and aspect ratio of the fibre contributed to the enhancement in the mechanical properties of the composites. SEM observations on the fracture surface of composites showed that the surface modification of the fibre occurred and improved fibre–matrix adhesion.

Mechanical properties of biodegradable composites reinforced with bagasse fibre before and after alkali treatments

Press forming of short natural fiber-reinforced biodegradable resin: Effects of fiber volume and length on flexural properties

Bio-based polymer composites made from kenaf, bamboo and biodegradable resin, which was a corn starch base were fabricated with press forming. The relationship between fibre Young’s modulus and flexural modulus in composites was investigated. The Young’s modulus of each fibre was measured to predict the flexural modulus in composites. The flexural modulus in composites was predicted by Cox model, which incorporates the effect of the fibre compression. The flexural modulus increased with increasing the fibre content. In the case of kenaf, the flexural modulus in the experimental was in good agreement with the experimental. While in the case of bamboo, the difference between experimental and calculation was large. This is because Young’s modulus in bamboo was estimated considerably lower than the actual modulus due to partial breakage of bamboo during single fibre tensile test. The flexural modulus in unidirectional fibre composite made a good agreement with the predicted. However, the flexural modulus in cross ply composite was considerably lower than the predicted. This is because less fibres movement during hot pressing resulted in the resin segregation and the movement made the fibres less wetting with resin.

Flexural modulus of the unidirectional and random composites made from biodegradable resin and bamboo and kenaf fibres

Lightweight laminate composites made from kenaf and polypropylene fibres

Flexural modulus of the press-molding composites made from bagasse fiber and biodegradable resin was investigated by experiment and numerical prediction with Cox's model that incorporates the compression ratio of the bagasse fiber in the cross section. The effect of the volume fraction of bagasse fiber and its length on the flexural modulus was examined. Up to 65% volume fraction in the experiment, the flexural modulus increased with increase of the volume fraction of the bagasse fiber. The numerical prediction was in good agreement with the experimental result. Above 65% volume fraction, however, the flexural modulus decreased in the experiment, while the prediction increased. It seemed that the biodegradable resin was insufficient to cover all the surface of bagasse fiber in the composite. Moreover, the decrease of the flexural modulus was found below 3 mm at the fiber length in the experimental and the same trend was shown in the numerical prediction. POLYM. COMPOS. 26:689–694, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers

Isao Fukumoto

Papers

Mechanical properties of biodegradable composites reinforced with bagasse fibre before and after alkali treatments

Press forming of short natural fiber-reinforced biodegradable resin: Effects of fiber volume and length on flexural properties

Flexural modulus of the unidirectional and random composites made from biodegradable resin and bamboo and kenaf fibres

Lightweight laminate composites made from kenaf and polypropylene fibres

Effect of bagasse fiber on the flexural properties of biodegradable composites