The increase in awareness of the damage caused by synthetic materials on the environment has led to the development of eco-friendly materials. The researchers have shown a lot of interest in developing such materials which can replace the synthetic materials. As a result, there is an increase in demand for commercial use of the natural fiber-based composites in recent years for various industrial sectors. Natural fibers are sustainable materials which are easily available in nature and have advantages like low-cost, lightweight, renewability, biodegradability and high specific properties. The sustainability of the natural fiber-based composite materials has led to upsurge its applications in various manufacturing sectors. In this paper, we have reviewed the different sources of natural fibers, their properties, modification of natural fibers, the effect of treatments on natural fibers, etc. We also summarize the major applications of natural fibers and their effective use as reinforcement for polymer composite materials.

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Natural Fibers as Sustainable and Renewable Resource for Development of Eco-friendly Composites: A Comprehensive Review

Improved fracture toughness and integrated damage sensing capability by spray coated CNTs on carbon fibre prepreg Part A Applied science and manufacturing

The robotics literature of the last two decades contains many important advances in the control of flexible joint robots. This is a survey of these advances and an assessment for future developments, concentrated mostly on the control issues of flexible joint robots.

A survey on the control of flexible joint robots

Study of heat transfer in multilayered structure within the framework of dual-phase-lag heat conduction model using lattice Boltzmann method

Laser-induced vibrations of micro-beams under different boundary conditions

Dynamic response of a rod due to a moving heat source under the hyperbolic heat conduction model

Natural composites can be fabricated through reinforcing either synthetic or bio-based polymers with hydrophilic natural fibers. Ultimate moisture absorption resistance at the fiber–matrix interface can be achieved when hydrophilic natural fibers are used to reinforce biopolymers due to the high degree of compatibility between them. However, the cost of biopolymers is several times higher than that of their synthetic counterparts, which hinders their dissemination in various industries. In order to produce economically feasible natural composites, synthetic resins are frequently reinforced with hydrophilic fibers, which increases the incompatibility issues such as the creation of voids and delamination at fiber–matrix interfaces. Therefore, applying chemical and/or physical treatments to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks is of primary importance. However, it is demonstrated through this review study that these treatments do not guarantee a sufficient improvement of the moisture absorption properties of natural composites, and the moisture treatments should be applied under the consideration of the following parameters: (i) type of hosting matrix; (ii) type of natural fiber; (iii) loading of natural fiber; (iv) the hybridization of natural fibers with mineral/synthetic counterparts; (v) implantation of nanofillers. Complete discussion about each of these parameters is developed through this study.

Critical Review of the Parameters Affecting the Effectiveness of Moisture Absorption Treatments Used for Natural Composites

This work is concerned with the investigation of the thermoelastic response of a composite slab (a two-, thin-, metallic-layered plate) under the effect of an intense rapid heating applied to one side. The dual-phase-lag heat conduction model is used to derive the heat equation in each layer. The heat equations are solved using the Laplace transform technique and the Riemann-sum method. As a result, the thermal behavior, in the form of the temperature distribution along the thickness direction of the slab, is determined. The governing equation of plate deflection is formulated and solved for simply supported edge conditions. As a result, the plate deflections and the thermal stresses are calculated numerically using the finite difference method. Thermal stress distribution is found to depend on the temperature distribution in addition to the difference in the thermal and mechanical properties of the materials that compose the two layers.

Thermoelastic behavior of a composite slab under a rapid dual-phase-lag heating

Thermal stresses generated within a thin plate as a result of a fast heating rate are investigated numerically using the dual-phase-lag heat conduction model. The quantitative and qualitative predictions of the dual-phase-lag model for the thermal stresses are compared with the predictions of the diffusion (parabolic) and wave (hyperbolic) heat conduction models. It is found that the predictions of the three models differ in the early stages of the heating process and then give almost the same predictions as they approach the steady-state limit.

Transient thermal stresses in a thin elastic plate due to a rapid dual-phase-lag heating

Using the hyperbolic heat conduction model, thermal stresses generated within a rapidly heated thin metal plate are investigated numerically. The effects of different parameters such as the form, duration, amplitude, and penetration depth of the heating source on the temperature, thermal moment, deflection, and thermal stresses are studied. It is found that under ultra-fast heating of very thin plates, the hyperbolic heat conduction model must be adopted to model the thermal behavior.

Naser S. Al-Huniti

Papers

Dynamic response of a rod due to a moving heat source under the hyperbolic heat conduction model

Critical Review of the Parameters Affecting the Effectiveness of Moisture Absorption Treatments Used for Natural Composites

Thermoelastic behavior of a composite slab under a rapid dual-phase-lag heating

Transient thermal stresses in a thin elastic plate due to a rapid dual-phase-lag heating

Behavior of thermal stresses in a rapidly heated thin plate