Studies on the use of natural fibers as replacement to man-made fiber in fiber-reinforced composites have increased and opened up further industrial possibilities. Natural fibers have the advantages of low density, low cost, and biodegradability. However, the main disadvantages of natural fibers in composites are the poor compatibility between fiber and matrix and the relative high moisture sorption. Therefore, chemical treatments are considered in modifying the fiber surface properties. In this paper, the different chemical modifications on natural fibers for use in natural fiber-reinforced composites are reviewed. Chemical treatments including alkali, silane, acetylation, benzoylation, acrylation, maleated coupling agents, isocyanates, permanganate and others are discussed. The chemical treatment of fiber aimed at improving the adhesion between the fiber surface and the polymer matrix may not only modify the fiber surface but also increase fiber strength. Water absorption of composites is reduced and their mechanical properties are improved.

Chemical Treatments of Natural Fiber for Use in Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composites: A Review

Biofibres and Biocomposites

In recent years, natural fibers reinforced composites have received much attention because of their lightweight, nonabrasive, combustible, nontoxic, low cost and biodegradable properties. Among the various natural fibers; flax, bamboo, sisal, hemp, ramie, jute, and wood fibers are of particular interest. A lot of research work has been performed all over the world on the use of natural fibers as a reinforcing material for the preparation of various types of composites. However, lack of good interfacial adhesion, low melting point, and poor resistance towards moisture make the use of natural fiber reinforced composites less attractive. Pretreatments of the natural fiber can clean the fiber surface, chemically modify the surface, stop the moisture absorption process, and increase the surface roughness. Among the various pretreatment techniques, graft copolymerization and plasma treatment are the best methods for surface modification of natural fibers. Graft copolymers of natural fibers with vinyl monomers provide better adhesion between matrix and fiber. In the present article, the use of pretreated natural fibers in polymer matrix-based composites has been reviewed. Effect of surface modification of natural fibers on the properties of fibers and fiber reinforced polymer composites has also been discussed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers

Pretreatments of Natural Fibers and their Application as Reinforcing Material in Polymer Composites—A Review

This paper provides a comprehensive overview on different surface treatments applied to natural fibres for advanced composites applications. In practice, the major drawbacks of using natural fibres are their high degree of moisture absorption and poor dimensional stability. The primary objective of surface treatments on natural fibres is to maximize the bonding strength so as the stress transferability in the composites. The overall mechanical properties of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites are highly dependent on the morphology, aspect ratio, hydrophilic tendency and dimensional stability of the fibres used. The effects of different chemical treatments on cellulosic fibres that are used as reinforcements for thermoset and thermoplastics are studied. The chemical sources for the treatments include alkali, silane, acetylation, benzoylation, acrylation and acrylonitrile grafting, maleated coupling agents, permanganate, peroxide, isocyanate, stearic acid, sodium chlorite, triazine, fatty acid derivate (oleoyl chloride) and fungal. The significance of chemically-treated natural fibres is seen through the improvement of mechanical strength and dimensional stability of resultant composites as compared with a pristine sample.

Chemical treatments on plant-based natural fibre reinforced polymer composites: An overview

Biodegradable composites based on lignocellulosic fibers—An overview

Studies on mechanical performance of biofibre/glass reinforced polyester hybrid composites

Polypropylene/layered silicate nanocomposites were prepared from base polymer (10 MFI) and octadecylamine modified montmorillonite (1.30P nanomer), melt compounded with and without compatibilizer, i.e., maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (Epolene-G3015). Physico-mechanical properties of the virgin PP and nanocomposites with different nanomer percentages and compatibilizer loadings were studied and compared. Thermal characteristics of nanocomposites were also compared with those of the virgin polymer. TEM analysis of the nanocomposites was carried out to study the dispersion of nanomer in the resulting hybrids. The nanocomposites showed improved mechanical properties over those of the virgin polymer with a marginal increase in specific gravity. Addition of compatibilizer further enhanced the mechanical properties of nanocomposites because of the compatibilization of the clay and host polymer interface. The uncompatibilized nanocomposites showed an increase in thermal stability and a higher melting point. However, the compatibilized nanocomposites showed delayed crystallization due to the presence of an oligomeric fraction of the added Epolene. Polym. Compos. 25:646–652, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.

S. Parija

Papers

Studies on mechanical performance of biofibre/glass reinforced polyester hybrid composites

Studies on physico‐mechanical properties and thermal characteristics of polypropylene/layered silicate nanocomposites