Natural-fiber-reinforced polymer composites in automotive applications
TL;DR: In the past decade, natural fiber composites with thermoplastic and thermoset matrices have been embraced by European car manufacturers and suppliers for door panels, seat backs, headliners, package trays, dashboards, and interior parts as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In the past decade, natural-fiber composites with thermoplastic and thermoset matrices have been embraced by European car manufacturers and suppliers for door panels, seat backs, headliners, package trays, dashboards, and interior parts. Natural fibers such as kenaf, hemp, flax, jute, and sisal offer such benefits as reductions in weight, cost, and CO2, less reliance on foreign oil sources, and recyclability. However, several major technical considerations must be addressed before the engineering, scientific, and commercial communities gain the confidence to enable wide-scale acceptance, particularly in exterior parts where a Class A surface finish is required. Challenges include the homogenization of the fiber's properties and a full understanding of the degree of polymerization and crystallization, adhesion between the fiber and matrix, moisture repellence, and flame-retardant properties, to name but a few.
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Abstract: Recently, there has been a rapid growth in research and innovation in the natural fibre composite (NFC) area. Interest is warranted due to the advantages of these materials compared to others, such as synthetic fibre composites, including low environmental impact and low cost and support their potential across a wide range of applications. Much effort has gone into increasing their mechanical performance to extend the capabilities and applications of this group of materials. This review aims to provide an overview of the factors that affect the mechanical performance of NFCs and details achievements made with them.
2,182 citations
Cites background from "Natural-fiber-reinforced polymer co..."
...Both thermoplastic and thermoset polymers have been used for matrices with natural fibres [44]....
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TL;DR: In this paper, a review on the tensile properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites is presented, where several chemical modifications are employed to improve the interfacial matrix-fiber bonding resulting in the enhancement of tensile strength of the composites.
Abstract: This paper is a review on the tensile properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. Natural fibers have recently become attractive to researchers, engineers and scientists as an alternative reinforcement for fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Due to their low cost, fairly good mechanical properties, high specific strength, non-abrasive, eco-friendly and bio-degradability characteristics, they are exploited as a replacement for the conventional fiber, such as glass, aramid and carbon. The tensile properties of natural fiber reinforce polymers (both thermoplastics and thermosets) are mainly influenced by the interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the fibers. Several chemical modifications are employed to improve the interfacial matrix–fiber bonding resulting in the enhancement of tensile properties of the composites. In general, the tensile strengths of the natural fiber reinforced polymer composites increase with fiber content, up to a maximum or optimum value, the value will then drop. However, the Young’s modulus of the natural fiber reinforced polymer composites increase with increasing fiber loading. Khoathane et al. [1] found that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of composites reinforced with bleached hemp fibers increased incredibly with increasing fiber loading. Mathematical modelling was also mentioned. It was discovered that the rule of mixture (ROM) predicted and experimental tensile strength of different natural fibers reinforced HDPE composites were very close to each other. Halpin–Tsai equation was found to be the most effective equation in predicting the Young’s modulus of composites containing different types of natural fibers.
1,757 citations
TL;DR: An overview of the developments made in the area of biodegradable composites, in terms of market, processing methods, matrix reinforcement systems, morphology, properties and product development is presented in this article.
1,133 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of the most appropriate and widely used natural fiber reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs) and their applications is presented in this paper. But, the results of the review are limited due to the high water absorption, inferior fire resistance, and lower mechanical properties of NFPCs.
Abstract: Natural fibers are getting attention from researchers and academician to utilize in polymer composites due to their ecofriendly nature and sustainability. The aim of this review article is to provide a comprehensive review of the foremost appropriate as well as widely used natural fiber reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs) and their applications. In addition, it presents summary of various surface treatments applied to natural fibers and their effect on NFPCs properties. The properties of NFPCs vary with fiber type and fiber source as well as fiber structure. The effects of various chemical treatments on the mechanical and thermal properties of natural fibers reinforcements thermosetting and thermoplastics composites were studied. A number of drawbacks of NFPCs like higher water absorption, inferior fire resistance, and lower mechanical properties limited its applications. Impacts of chemical treatment on the water absorption, tribology, viscoelastic behavior, relaxation behavior, energy absorption flames retardancy, and biodegradability properties of NFPCs were also highlighted. The applications of NFPCs in automobile and construction industry and other applications are demonstrated. It concluded that chemical treatment of the natural fiber improved adhesion between the fiber surface and the polymer matrix which ultimately enhanced physicomechanical and thermochemical properties of the NFPCs.
1,022 citations
Cites background from "Natural-fiber-reinforced polymer co..."
...BMW Group used about 10 000 tonnes of natural fiber in 2004 [100]....
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TL;DR: In this article, a review of the use of flax fibres as reinforcement in composites has gained popularity due to an increasing requirement for developing sustainable materials, such as glass fibres.
Abstract: In recent years, the use of flax fibres as reinforcement in composites has gained popularity due to an increasing requirement for developing sustainable materials. Flax fibres are cost-effective and offer specific mechanical properties comparable to those of glass fibres. Composites made of flax fibres with thermoplastic, thermoset, and biodegradable matrices have exhibited good mechanical properties. This review presents a summary of recent developments of flax fibre and its composites. Firstly, the fibre structure, mechanical properties, cost, the effect of various parameters (i.e. relative humidity, various physical/chemical treatments, gauge length, fibre diameter, fibre location in a stem, oleaginous, mechanical defects such as kink bands) on tensile properties of flax fibre have been reviewed. Secondly, the effect of fibre configuration (i.e. in forms of fabric, mat, yarn, roving and monofilament), manufacturing processes, fibre volume, and fibre/matrix interface parameters on the mechanical properties of flax fibre reinforced composites have been reviewed. Next, the studies of life cycle assessment and durability investigation of flax fibre reinforced composites have been reviewed.
958 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, a survey about physical and chemical treatment methods which improve the fiber matrix adhesion, their results and effects on the physical properties of composites is presented, and the influence of such treatments by taking into account fibre content on the creep, quasi-static, cyclic dynamic and impact behaviour of natural fibre reinforced plastics are discussed in detail.
4,160 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a critical review on the physical and chemical treatment methods that improve the fiber-matrix adhesion and their characterization methods is given, as well as a detailed characterization of these methods.
Abstract: An Important aspect with respect to optimal mechanical performance of fiber reinforced composites in general and durability in particular is the optimization of the interfacial bond between fiber and polymer matrix. The quality of the fiber-matrix interface is significant for the application of natural fibers as reinforcement for plastics. Since the fibers and matrices are chemically different, strong adhesion at their interfaces is needed for an effective transfer of stress and bond distribution throughout an Interface. A good compatibilization between cellulose fibers and non-polar matrices is achieved from polymeric chains that will favor entanglements and interdiffiusion with the matrix. This article gives a critical review on the physical and chemical treatment methods that improve the fiber-matrix adhesion and their characterization methods.
1,071 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors summarise a number of international research projects being undertaken to understand the mechanical properties of natural cellulose fibres and composite materials, in particular the use of novel techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy, synchrotron x-ray and half-fringe photoelastic methods of measuring the physical and micromechanical properties.
Abstract: The following paper summarises a number of international research projects being undertaken to understand the mechanical properties of natural cellulose fibres and composite materials. In particular the use of novel techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy, synchrotron x-ray and half-fringe photoelastic methods of measuring the physical and micromechanical properties of cellulose fibres is reported. Current single fibre testing procedures are also reviewed with emphasis on the end-use in papermaking. The techniques involved in chemically modifying fibres to improve interfacial adhesion in composites are also reviewed, and the use of novel fibre sources such as bacterial and animal cellulose. It is found that there is overlap in current international research into this area, and that there are complementary approaches and therefore further combining of these may make further progress possible. In particular a need to measure locally the adhesion properties and deformation processes of fibres in composites, with different chemical treatments, ought to be a focus of future research.
893 citations
Book•
23 Mar 2009TL;DR: A.K. Mohanty, M. Misra, L.T. Drzal, and R. Narayan as discussed by the authors discussed the potential of natural fiber composites in automotive applications.
Abstract: Natural Fibers, Biopolymers, and Biocomposites: An Introduction A.K. Mohanty, M. Misra, L.T. Drzal, S.E. Selke, B.R. Harte, and G.Hinrichsen Plant Fibers as Reinforcement for Green Composites A. Bismarck, S. Mishra, and T. Lampke Processing of Bast Fiber Plants for Industrial Application F. Munder, C. Furll, and H.Hempel Recent Developments in Retting and Measurement of Fiber Quality in Natural Fibers: Pro and Cons R.B. Dodd and D.E. Akin Alternative Low-Cost Biomass for the Biocomposites Industry D.D. Stokke Fiber-Matrix Adhesion in Natural Fiber Composites P.J. Herrera Franco and A. Valadez-Gonzalez Natural Fiber Composites in Automotive Applications B.C. Suddell and W.J. Evans Natural Fiber Composites for Building Applications B. Singh and M. Gupta Thermoset Biocomposites D. Ray and J. Rout Thermoplastic Wood Fiber Composites S. Godavarti Bamboo-Based Ecocomposites and Their Potential Applications K. Kitagawa, U. S. Ishiaku, M. Mizoguchi, and H. Hamada Oil Palm Fiber-Thermoplastic Composites H.D. Rozman, Z.A. Mohd Ishak, and U.S. Ishiaku Natural Fiber-Rubber Composites and Their Applications S. Joseph, M. Jacob, and S. Thomas Straw-Based Biomass and Biocomposites X. Mo, D. Wang, and X.S. Sun Sorona(R)Polymer: Present Status and Future Perspectives J.V. Kurian Polylactic Acid Technology D.E. Henton, P. Gruber, J. Lunt, and J. Randall Polylactide-Based Biocomposites D. Plackett and A. Sodergard Bacterial Polyester-Based Biocomposites: A Review A. Hodzic Cellulose Fiber-Reinforced Cellulose Esters: Biocomposites for the Future G. Toriz, P. Gatenholm, B.D. Seiler, and D. Tindall Starch Polymers: Chemistry, Engineering, and Novel Products B.-S. Chiou, G.M. Glenn, S.H. Imam, M.K. Inglesby, D.F. Wood, and W.J. Orts Lignin-Based Polymer Blends and Biocomposite Materials S. Kubo, R.D. Gilbert, and J.F. Kadla Soy Protein-Based Plastics, Blends, and Composites A.K. Mohanty, W. Liu, P. Tummala, L.T. Drzal, M. Misra, and R.Narayan Synthesis, Properties, and Potential Applications of Novel Thermosetting Biopolymers from Soybean and Other Natural Oils F. Li and R.C. Larock Houses Using Soy Oil and Natural Fibers Biocomposites M.A. Dweib, A. O'Donnell, R.P. Wool, B. Hu, and H.W. Shenton III Biobased Polyurethanes and Their Composites: Present Status and Future Perspective J.-P. Latere Dwan'Isa, A.K. Mohanty, M. Misra, and L.T. Drzal Cellulose-Based Nanocomposites L. Berglund How Sustainable Are Biopolymers and Biobased Products? The Hope, the Doubts, and the Reality M. Patel and R. Narayan Index
874 citations
TL;DR: The influence of different flax-fiber separation methods and several modifications, and such a treatment followed by alkaline purification as well as polypropylene grafting on the fiber surface morphology, surface area and time- and pH-depending ζ-potentials were studied.
Abstract: The surface characteristics of several natural fibers—flax, hemp and cellulose—were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, BET-surface area and zeta (ζ-) potential measurements. ζ-Potential measurements using the streaming potential method were performed in order to study the water uptake behavior as well as the surface properties of several natural fibers. The influence of different flax-fiber separation methods and several modifications, like industrial purification, and such a treatment followed by alkaline purification as well as polypropylene grafting on the fiber surface morphology, surface area and time- and pH-depending ζ-potentials were studied. The time-dependence of the ζ-potential, measured in 1 mM KCl solution, offeres and alternative possibility to estimate the water uptake behavior for nearly all investigated natural fibers. The water uptake data derived from the ζ-potential measurements (ζ = f(t)) were compared with data from conventional water adsorption studies for some chosen examples.
386 citations