Natural fibers, as replacement of engineered fibers, have been one of the most researched topics over the past years. This is due to their inherent properties, such as biodegradability, renewability and their abundant availability when compared to synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers derived from finite resources (fossil fuels) and are thus, affected mainly by volatility oil prices and their accumulation in the environment and/or landfill sites as main drawbacks their mechanical properties and thermal properties surpass that of natural fibers. A combination of these fibers/fillers, as reinforcement of various polymeric materials, offers new opportunities to produce multifunctional materials and structures for advanced applications. This article intends to cover recent developments from 2013-up to date on hybrid composites, based on natural fibers with other fillers. Hybrid composites preparation and characterization towards their applicability in advanced applications and the current challenges are also presented.

Recent progress on natural fiber hybrid composites for advanced applications: A review

Mechanical properties evaluation of sisal fibre reinforced polymer composites: A review

Recent advancement in the natural fiber polymer composites: A comprehensive review

A review of nanocellulose as a new material towards environmental sustainability.

Lignocellulosic fiber reinforced composites: Progress, performance, properties, applications, and future perspectives

The implementation of health monitoring in various structures proves to be beneficial in numerous ways like providing enhanced public safety, improving life span of structures, cutting costs, and early detection of risks thus helping in improving the overall performance of the structures. The improved performance of structures is also essential for the nation and its development. Increased usage of various sensors in different bridges like as Tsing Ma Bridge, Confederation Bridge, and Commodore Barry Bridge structures leads to effective structural health monitoring, which further ensures their long life span. Despite using sensors in the structures, there are some factors like environmental factors, misinterpretation of collected data by mixing of various structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques, and on-site construction defects which affects the conclusions related to the nature of damage and its location. In this chapter, a detailed study of benefits of structural health monitoring and thus the need to meet recent requirements by various recent trends is done. With the progress in trends of structural health monitoring techniques challenges which de-toured the final results of SHM techniques are reviewed in detail. This chapter on recent trends in structural health monitoring includes an elaborate study of advanced technology such as optical fiber Bragg grating (OFBG) strain sensors to monitor damages in civil infrastructures, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP)-OFBG sensing unit to measure the interface strain and fiber optic sensors for measuring small cracks. These recent trends are extremely effective in meeting various requirements for a modern SHM system, but they still encounter various challenges that affect the measurement data and final conclusions. Therefore various research studies are taking place in the SHM field to achieve an absolutely error-proof monitoring system in the near future.

Recent advances and trends in structural health monitoring

The aim of this research work is to determine the mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of spherical silica (silica-A), amorphous silica (silica-B) and Roselle fiber (RF) reinforced poly...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/20550324.2018.1562614

Investigation on mechanical properties of polyurethane hybrid nanocomposite foams reinforced with roselle fibers and silica nanoparticles

The materials utilized as a part of aviation applications represent those with high performance, as the aviation industry is particularly materials driven. Continuous development and introduction of new materials in aerospace applications aims at weight reduction, increased fuel efficiency, enhanced performance, and reduced cost. Improvement of engineering materials for aerospace application influences both economic and environmental issues. This chapter on materials selection for aerospace components elucidates the evolution of advanced materials in aerospace industries, as observed through literature available, based on their specific properties and applications. The importance of material selection in aerospace industries, selection of materials based on their mechanical, thermal properties, and cost factors are also discussed. Material selection always involves many criteria; a few such important methods for material selection are also highlighted in this chapter. Recent developments in the field of composites influence aerospace applications, due to high strength-to-weight, thermal resistance, and wear resistance compared to conventional materials. In this chapter, the advantages and disadvantages of newly developed material for aerospace application are also discussed.

Materials selection for aerospace components

The influence of surface treatment (alkali, potassium permanganate, benzoyl chloride and silane) on the mechanical, dynamic mechanical and free vibration properties of intra-ply hybrid banana/jute woven fabric composite has been analyzed. Intra-ply woven fabrics are fabricated by keeping banana yarn in weft direction and jute yarn in warp direction of a basket-type woven fabric. Results reveal that the enhancement of tensile and flexural strengths of the composite due to the chemical treatment is marginal, except for the benzoyl chloride treatment. However, the chemical treatment results in better impact strength compared to the untreated composite. Tensile, flexural and impact strengths of the benzoyl chloride treatment increase by 10%, 30% and 50%, respectively, compared to untreated composite. It is evident from Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectra that benzoyl chloride treatment effectively removes the hemicellulose and lignin content. It is observed that benzoyl chloride and alkali treatment improves t...

Mechanical characterization of natural fiber intra-ply fabric polymer composites: Influence of chemical modifications

Influence of natural additives on mechanical and physical properties of hydraulic lime mortar has been investigated experimentally. Results revealed that organically modified lime mortar enhances the compressive strength significantly as it improved the bond between two consecutive lime particles in the matrix. Results also reflected that organically modified lime mortar with longer curing periods increased the compressive strength compared to reference mortar made of lime without organic addition. It is due to the presence of proteins and carbohydrates in the organic additives that influences the carbonation and hydraulic reaction in the lime matrix which helps to enhance the compressive strength of modified mortar. Addition of organic additives in lime mortar also reduces the porosity in the matrix and increases the hydrophobic nature and reduces water affinity of the hydraulic lime mortar.

M. Rajesh

Papers

Recent advances and trends in structural health monitoring

Investigation on mechanical properties of polyurethane hybrid nanocomposite foams reinforced with roselle fibers and silica nanoparticles

Materials selection for aerospace components

Mechanical characterization of natural fiber intra-ply fabric polymer composites: Influence of chemical modifications

Mechanical and physical properties of natural additive dispersed lime