Increasing scientific interest has occurred concerning the utilization of natural fiber-enhanced hybrid composites that incorporate one or more types of natural enhancement. Annual natural fiber production is estimated to be 1,783,965 × 103 tons/year. Extensive studies have been conducted in the domains of natural/synthetic as well as natural/natural hybrid composites. As synthetic fibers have better rigidity and strength than natural fibers, natural/synthetic hybrid composites have superior qualities via hybridization compared to natural composites in fibers. In general, natural fiber compounds have lower characteristics, limiting the use of natural composites reinforced by fiber. Significant effort was spent in enhancing the mechanical characteristics of this group of materials to increase their strengths and applications, especially via the hybridization process, by manipulating the characteristics of fiber-reinforced composite materials. Current studies concentrate on enhancing the understanding of natural fiber-matrix adhesion, enhancing processing methods, and natural fiber compatibility. The optimal and resilient conceptions have also been addressed due to the inherently more significant variabilities. Moreover, much research has tackled natural fiber reinforced hybrid composite costs. In addition, this review article aims to offer a review of the variables that lead to the mechanical and structural failure of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites, as well as an overview of the details and costings of the composites.

Critical Review of Natural Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Composites: Processing, Properties, Applications and Cost

Hybridization of natural fibers in polymeric composites is used in various applications due to its many advantages. The present study deals with the development of four different tri-layer composit...

Influence of Stacking Sequence on the Mechanical and Water Absorption Characteristics of Areca Sheath-palm Leaf Sheath Fibers Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Fibres are extracted from various parts of the plants like stem, leaf, bast, flower and fruits. These fibres are reinforced into composites and find their major applications in packaging, furniture, automotive, marine, infrastructure and aerospace industries. Amongst various parts of plant, majorly leaves were discarded as wastes in most of the cases. As a matter of fact, the fibres extracted from the leaves have equivalent strength when compared with the fibres extracted from other parts of the plant. Pineapple leaf, areca leaf stalk, abaca fibres, henequen, palm leaf stalk and many other leaf-based fibres were experimented by many researchers. It was determined that the leaf fibre–reinforced green composites possess better mechanical properties and modulus when compared with other class of polymer composites. This review mainly deals with the potentiality of various leaf-based fibres to be used as reinforcements, method of extraction, their properties and applications. This review covers finite element modelling, strength and commercial application aspects of leaf fibre–based composites.

Leaf fibres as reinforcements in green composites: a review on processing, properties and applications

Hybrid composites composed of neem fiber (N), banana (B) fiber and epoxy resin were fabricated by hand layup method. Three types of composites with blending ratio of B:N (1:4), B:N (1:1) and B:N (4...

Influence of Chemical Treatment and Moisture Absorption on Tensile Behavior of Neem/banana Fibers Reinforced Hybrid Composites: An Experimental Investigation

In this investigation, the dynamic mechanical properties of Indian almond – Kenaf fiber composite were investigated and the effect of stacking sequence was analyzed. Four types of composites viz. k...

Effect of stacking sequence on dynamic mechanical properties of Indian almond – Kenaf fiber reinforced hybrid composites

Tri-layer hybrid composites composed of Indian almond and kenaf fibers were fabricated using hand layup method. Two types of hybrid composites namely Kenaf/Indian almond/Kenaf (K/I/K) and I...

Experimental Investigation on Mechanical and Biodegradation Properties of Indian Almond–Kenaf Fiber-Reinforced Hybrid Composites for Construction Applications

Pyrolysis has recently emerged as a viable and sustainable approach for assessing the bioenergy potential of agricultural waste. Indian almond fruit (IAF) has the potential for bioenergy recovery for heat and electricity generation, whereas, the characterization and the kinetics data of IAF have never been explored. In this research, the IAF biomass was involved in proximate, ultimate and chemical analysis for the complete characterization of biomass. Further, the pyrolysis behaviour and kinetic analysis of IAF were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) technique using five heating rates such as 5°C/min, 10°C/min, 15°C/min, 20°C/min and 25°C/min, respectively. Kinetic analysis was performed on the IAF biomass using different kinetic models such as Kissinger, Friedman, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO). Furthermore, thermodynamic parameters were determined using the decomposition data obtained from the TGA curve. A characterization study revealed that the IAF biomass displayed a heating value of 18.31 MJ/kg. The carbon and hydrogen contents were noted as 50.72% and 4.98%, respectively, and no traces of sulphur were observed. The IAF biomass exhibited the maximum lignin content of 21.14%. TGA results revealed that the IAF biomass decomposed in three stages, stage 1: 35°C to 110°C, stage 2: 110 °C to 240°C and stage 3: 240°C to 400°C. Higher mass loss was seen in stage 3 due to the simultaneous degradation of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. Activation energy calculated by Kissinger, Friedman, KAS and FWO exhibited as 12.23 and 9.15 kJ/mol – 19.09 and 26.10 kJ/mol – 132.57 and 32.60 kJ/mol – 142.33 kJ/mol, respectively. Furthermore, thermodynamic analysis of IAF biomass displayed that the pyrolysis process was a spontaneous and endothermic process. In addition, the pyrolysis characterization of various biomass investigated by the previous researchers has been compared with the present results.

Pyrolysis characteristics and kinetic analysis of Indian almond fruit biomass by thermogravimetric analysis for the potential source of bioenergy

Natural fibers are good substitute for polymer fibers due to its better characteristics like biodegradable, low cost and no harmful release. The purpose of this research is to identify a natural fiber with low cost and good characteristics. Hence, in this research, an attempt has been made to analyze the physical, chemical and thermal properties of banana flower pistil fiber (BPF). The fibers were involved into chemical treatment such as alkali (5%, 7.5% and 10%). The effect of chemical treatment on the properties of fiber was analyzed. Structural properties were analyzed by X- Ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The thermal properties were tested by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Further, the water absorption ability of the treated and untreated fiber was investigated. Results showed that the chemically treated fiber (5% alkali) displayed good physical, chemical and thermal properties compared to untreated fiber. Hence, the chemically treated BPF could be useful in the fabrication of bio-composites for industrial applications.

Physical, chemical and thermal analysis of banana flower pistil fiber for the potential application of composite manufacturing

The emission from diesel engine leads to global warming and health issues. Alternative fuel is the better choice to solve the aforementioned issues. Bio-fuels have the potential to decrease the engine emission. This research works deals with the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of diesel engine operated with mango seed biodiesel blended with SnO2 and Ag particles. A test was conducted at different loading conditions on the single cylinder, four stroke, and vertical diesel engine. Three types of fuel blends were prepared viz. BD containing 25% methyl ester of mango seed oil and 75% diesel fuel, BD with 50 ppm Ag nanoparticles and BD with 50 ppm SnO2 nanoparticles. Experimental results were compared with the performance, combustion and emission results of diesel fuel. The BD–Ag biodiesel showed 4.4% higher BTE than the pure biodiesel due to the high thermal conductivity of Ag particles. Moreover, the BD–Ag biodiesel exhibited 16.7% more HRR than pure biodiesel owing to better heat transfer ability of Ag particles. In addition, the BD–Ag biodiesel displayed the maximum reduction in CO, UBHC and smoke density of 27.8%, 14.3%, and 11.8%, respectively, compared with that of diesel fuel. 

J. Bensam Raj

Papers

Experimental Investigation on Mechanical and Biodegradation Properties of Indian Almond–Kenaf Fiber-Reinforced Hybrid Composites for Construction Applications

Influence of Chemical Treatment and Moisture Absorption on Tensile Behavior of Neem/banana Fibers Reinforced Hybrid Composites: An Experimental Investigation

Pyrolysis characteristics and kinetic analysis of Indian almond fruit biomass by thermogravimetric analysis for the potential source of bioenergy

Physical, chemical and thermal analysis of banana flower pistil fiber for the potential application of composite manufacturing

Effect of SnO2 and Ag nano-additives on the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of diesel engine fueled with mango seed biodiesel