Natural-fiber composites in the automotive sector
01 Jan 2008-pp 221-268
TL;DR: The use of natural fibres in composite materials is increasing due to legislation forcing automotive manufacturers to reuse and recycle materials, which is leading to an increase in the bio-based material content in automotive applications.
Abstract: Publisher Summary The use of natural fibres in composite materials is increasing due to legislation forcing automotive manufacturers to reuse and recycle materials, which is leading to an increase in the bio-based material content in automotive applications. Natural fibres being eco-friendly, lightweight, strong and low cost have already started to replace glass and mineral fillers in numerous engineering applications in automobiles, furniture, packaging and construction. The automobile industry has discovered the advantages to be gained from natural fibres and the Natural-Fibre Composites (NFC) made through the combination of natural fibres with different polymers such as: Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), and Polyvinylchloride (PVC). A potentially large area of usage of these composites is the automotive industry because the need is greatest. Fibre-reinforced composites have gained importance in the automotive sector where high mechanical properties and dimensional stability must be coupled with low weight. However, the use of natural fibres also has some limitations. They are moisture sensitive and their bonding with polymer matrices is weak. Moreover, there are some concerns over natural-fibre quality, consistency and processing temperature limits.
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TL;DR: A comprehensive review of literature on bio-fiber reinforced composites is presented in this paper, where the overall characteristics of reinforcing fibers used in biocomposites, including source, type, structure, composition, as well as mechanical properties, are reviewed.
Abstract: Due to environment and sustainability issues, this century has witnessed remarkable achievements in green technology in the field of materials science through the development of biocomposites. The development of high-performance materials made from natural resources is increasing worldwide. The greatest challenge in working with natural fiber reinforced plastic composites is their large variation in properties and characteristics. A biocomposite's properties are influenced by a number of variables, including the fiber type, environmental conditions (where the plant fibers are sourced), processing methods, and any modification of the fiber. It is also known that recently there has been a surge of interest in the industrial applications of composites containing biofibers reinforced with biopolymers. Biopolymers have seen a tremendous increase in use as a matrix for biofiber reinforced composites. A comprehensive review of literature (from 2000 to 2010) on the mostly readily utilized natural fibers and biopolymers is presented in this paper. The overall characteristics of reinforcing fibers used in biocomposites, including source, type, structure, composition, as well as mechanical properties, will be reviewed. Moreover, the modification methods; physical (corona and plasma treatment) and chemical (silane, alkaline, acetylation, maleated coupling, and enzyme treatment) will be discussed. The most popular matrices in biofiber reinforced composites based on petrochemical and renewable resources will also be addressed. The wide variety of biocomposite processing techniques as well as the factors (moisture content, fiber type and content, coupling agents and their influence on composites properties) affecting these processes will be discussed. Prior to the processing of biocomposites, semi-finished product manufacturing is also vital, which will be illustrated. Processing technologies for biofiber reinforced composites will be discussed based on thermoplastic matrices (compression molding, extrusion, injection molding, LFT-D-method, and thermoforming), and thermosets (resin transfer molding, sheet molding compound). Other implemented processes, i.e., thermoset compression molding and pultrusion and their influence on mechanical performance (tensile, flexural and impact properties) will also be evaluated. Finally, the review will conclude with recent developments and future trends of biocomposites as well as key issues that need to be addressed and resolved.
3,074 citations
01 Nov 2018
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive review about the properties of natural fibres used as composite materials reinforcement is presented, aiming to map where each type of fibre is positioned in several properties.
Abstract: There is significant work published in recent years about natural fibres polymeric composites. Most of the studies are about the characterization of natural fibres and their comparison with conventional composites regarding mechanical behaviour and application performance. There are dozens of types of natural fibres with different properties influencing their use, or not, in specific industrial applications. The natural origin of these materials causes, in general, a wide range of variations in properties depending mainly on the harvesting location and conditions, making it difficult to select the appropriate fibre for a specific application. In this paper, a comprehensive review about the properties of natural fibres used as composite materials reinforcement is presented, aiming to map where each type of fibre is positioned in several properties. Recent published work on emergent types of fibres is also reviewed. A bibliometric study regarding applications of natural fibres composites is presented. A prospective analysis about the future trends of natural fibres applications and the required developments to broaden their applications is also presented and discussed.
381 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of waste materials, residues or process by-products of multiple types on NFPCs are evaluated and their potential as NFPC constituents is evaluated, and a new trend of utilizing waste, residues, and process byproducts in natural fiber-polymer composites (NFPCs) as additives or reinforcements may bring considerable enhancements in the properties of NFPC in a sustainable and resilient manner.
Abstract: Composite materials based on renewable agricultural and biomass feedstocks are increasingly utilized as these products significantly offset the use of fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in comparison with conventional petroleum-based materials. However, the inclusion of natural fibers in polymers introduces several challenges, such as excess water absorption and poor thermal properties, which need to be overcome to produce materials with comparable properties to the conventional composite materials. Instead of using rather expensive chemical and physical modification methods to eliminate these aforementioned challenges, a new trend of utilizing waste, residues, and process by-products in natural fiber-polymer composites (NFPCs) as additives or reinforcements may bring considerable enhancements in the properties of NFPCs in a sustainable and resilient manner. In this paper, the effects of waste materials, residues or process by-products of multiple types on NFPCs are critically reviewed and their potential as NFPC constituents is evaluated.
347 citations
TL;DR: This is a comprehensive review examining how organic waste and residues could be utilized in the future as reinforcements or additives for NFPCs from the perspective of the recently reported work in this field.
Abstract: Natural fiber-polymer composites (NFPCs) are becoming increasingly utilized in a wide variety of applications because they represent an ecological and inexpensive alternative to conventional petroleum-derived materials. On the other hand, considerable amounts of organic waste and residues from the industrial and agricultural processes are still underutilized as low-value energy sources. Organic materials are commonly disposed of or subjected to the traditional waste management methods, such as landfilling, composting or anaerobic digestion. The use of organic waste and residue materials in NFPCs represents an ecologically friendly and a substantially higher value alternative. This is a comprehensive review examining how organic waste and residues could be utilized in the future as reinforcements or additives for NFPCs from the perspective of the recently reported work in this field.
337 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed study aimed to demonstrate the important opportunity available in using all parts of a single renewable source, i.e. pineapple leaf waste, as filler for the preparation of green plastic composite with a wide range of adjustable properties.
Abstract: The work described in this paper is the first detailed study aimed to demonstrate the important opportunity available in using all parts of a single renewable source, i.e. pineapple leaf waste, as filler for the preparation of green plastic composite with a wide range of adjustable properties. This will not only provide the product designer an opportunity to lower the material cost, but also offer an opportunity to adjust the price-performance ratio and make use of every part of the waste leaf. Fresh pineapple leaves, which contain about 85% water, are chopped into small pieces and ground into paste. This is called whole ground pineapple leaf (WGL) and contains approximately 2.8% by weight of high quality dry fiber, called pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) as well as a large fraction of non-fibrous material (NFM) of approximately 10% by weight. WGL, PALF and NFM are examined as fillers for polypropylene reinforcement. It was found that PALF provided the highest improvement in all mechanical properties tested (tensile, flexural and impact tests) and also heat distortion temperature, followed by WGL and NFM, respectively. NFM, although it provided only slightly improved tensile and flexural properties, could maintain or even improve impact strength. Brief consideration of environmental issues suggests that using pineapple leaf waste can be beneficial in terms of both lower embodied energy and also lower overall emissions.
110 citations
References
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TL;DR: The structural aspects and properties of several biofibers and biodegradable polymers, recent developments of different biofiber and biocomposites are discussed in this paper.
Abstract: Recently the critical discussion about the preservation of natural resources and recycling has led to the renewed interest concerning biomaterials with the focus on renewable raw materials. Because of increasing environmental consciousness and demands of legislative authorities, use and removal of traditional composite structures, usually made of glass, carbon or aramid fibers being reinforced with epoxy, unsaturated polyester, or phenolics, are considered critically. Recent advances in natural fiber development, genetic engineering and composite science offer significant opportunities for improved materials from renewable resources with enhanced support for global sustainability. The important feature of composite materials is that they can be designed and tailored to meet different requirements. Since natural fibers are cheap and biodegradable, the biodegradable composites from biofibers and biodegradable polymers will render a contribution in the 21st century due to serious environmental problem. Biodegradable polymers have offered scientists a possible solution to waste-disposal problems associated with traditional petroleum-derived plastics. For scientists the real challenge lies in finding applications which would consume sufficiently large quantities of these materials to lead price reduction, allowing biodegradable polymers to compete economically in the market. Today's much better performance of traditional plastics are the outcome of continued RD however the existing biodegradable polymers came to public only few years back. Prices of biodegradable polymers can be reduced on mass scale production; and such mass scale production will be feasible through constant R&D efforts of scientists to improve the performance of biodegradable plastics. Manufacture of biodegradable composites from such biodegradable plastics will enhance the demand of such materials. The structural aspects and properties of several biofibers and biodegradable polymers, recent developments of different biodegradable polymers and biocomposites are discussed in this review article. Collaborative R&D efforts among material scientists and engineers as well as intensive co-operation and co-ordination among industries, research institutions and government are essential to find various commercial applications of biocomposites even beyond to our imagination.
2,612 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, natural fibres (sisal, kenaf, hemp, jute and coir) reinforced polypropylene composites were processed by compression molding using a film stacking method.
Abstract: In this work, natural fibres (sisal, kenaf, hemp, jute and coir) reinforced polypropylene composites were processed by compression moulding using a film stacking method The mechanical properties of the different natural fibre composites were tested and compared A further comparison was made with the corresponding properties of glass mat reinforced polypropylene composites from the open literature Kenaf, hemp and sisal composites showed comparable tensile strength and modulus results but in impact properties hemp appears to out-perform kenaf The tensile modulus, impact strength and the ultimate tensile stress of kenaf reinforced polypropylene composites were found to increase with increasing fibre weight fraction Coir fibre composites displayed the lowest mechanical properties, but their impact strength was higher than that of jute and kenaf composites In most cases the specific properties of the natural fibre composites were found to compare favourably with those of glass
2,161 citations
01 Sep 2001
TL;DR: In this article, natural fibres (sisal, kenaf, hemp, jute and coir) reinforced polypropylene composites were processed by compression molding using a film stacking method.
Abstract: In this work, natural fibres (sisal, kenaf, hemp, jute and coir) reinforced polypropylene composites were processed by compression moulding using a film stacking method. The mechanical properties of the different natural fibre composites were tested and compared. A further comparison was made with the corresponding properties of glass mat reinforced polypropylene composites from the open literature. Kenaf, hemp and sisal composites showed comparable tensile strength and modulus results but in impact properties hemp appears to out-perform kenaf. The tensile modulus, impact strength and the ultimate tensile stress of kenaf reinforced polypropylene composites were found to increase with increasing fibre weight fraction. Coir fibre composites displayed the lowest mechanical properties, but their impact strength was higher than that of jute and kenaf composites. In most cases the specific properties of the natural fibre composites were found to compare favourably with those of glass.
1,963 citations
TL;DR: The combination of bio-fibers such as kenaf, hemp, flax, jute, henequen, pineapple leaf fiber, and sisal with polymer matrices from both nonrenewable and renewable resources to produce composite materials that are competitive with synthetic composites requires special attention as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Sustainability, industrial ecology, eco-efficiency, and green chemistry are guiding the development of the next generation of materials, products, and processes. Biodegradable plastics and bio-based polymer products based on annually renewable agricultural and biomass feedstock can form the basis for a portfolio of sustainable, eco-efficient products that can compete and capture markets currently dominated by products based exclusively on petroleum feedstock. Natural/Biofiber composites (Bio-Composites) are emerging as a viable alternative to glass fiber reinforced composites especially in automotive and building product applications. The combination of biofibers such as kenaf, hemp, flax, jute, henequen, pineapple leaf fiber, and sisal with polymer matrices from both nonrenewable and renewable resources to produce composite materials that are competitive with synthetic composites requires special attention, i.e., biofiber–matrix interface and novel processing. Natural fiber–reinforced polypropylene composites have attained commercial attraction in automotive industries. Natural fiber—polypropylene or natural fiber—polyester composites are not sufficiently eco-friendly because of the petroleum-based source and the nonbiodegradable nature of the polymer matrix. Using natural fibers with polymers based on renewable resources will allow many environmental issues to be solved. By embedding biofibers with renewable resource–based biopolymers such as cellulosic plastics; polylactides; starch plastics; polyhydroxyalkanoates (bacterial polyesters); and soy-based plastics, the so-called green bio-composites are continuously being developed.
1,921 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review select comparative life cycle assessment studies of natural fiber and glass fiber composites, and identify key drivers of their relative environmental performance, and conclude that natural fiber composite is likely to be environmentally superior to glass fiber composite in most cases.
Abstract: Natural fibers are emerging as low cost, lightweight and apparently environmentally superior alternatives to glass fibers in composites. We review select comparative life cycle assessment studies of natural fiber and glass fiber composites, and identify key drivers of their relative environmental performance. Natural fiber composites are likely to be environmentally superior to glass fiber composites in most cases for the following reasons: (1) natural fiber production has lower environmental impacts compared to glass fiber production; (2) natural fiber composites have higher fiber content for equivalent performance, reducing more polluting base polymer content; (3) the light-weight natural fiber composites improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in the use phase of the component, especially in auto applications; and (4) end of life incineration of natural fibers results in recovered energy and carbon credits.
1,836 citations