Industrial applications of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites – challenges and opportunities

With the lightning speed of technological evolution, the demand for high performance yet sustainable natural fibres reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs) are rising. Especially a mechanically competent NFPCs under various loading conditions are growing day by day. However, the polymers mechanical properties are strain-rate dependent due to their viscoelastic nature. Especially for natural fibre reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs) which the involvement of filler has caused rather complex failure mechanisms under different strain rates. Moreover, some uneven micro-sized natural fibres such as bagasse, coir and wood were found often resulting in micro-cracks and voids formation in composites. This paper provides an overview of recent research on the mechanical properties of NFPCs under various loading conditions-different form (tensile, compression, bending) and different strain rates. The literature on characterisation techniques toward different strain rates, composite failure behaviours and current challenges are summarised which have led to the notion of future study trend. The strength of NFPCs is generally found grow proportionally with the strain rate up to a certain degree depending on the fibre-matrix stress-transfer efficiency. The failure modes such as embrittlement and fibre-matrix debonding were often encountered at higher strain rates. The natural filler properties, amount, sizes and polymer matrix types are found to be few key factors affecting the performances of composites under various strain rates whereby optimally adjust these factors could maximise the fibre-matrix stress-transfer efficiency and led to performance increases under various loading strain rates.

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Effect of nano-fillers on low-velocity impact properties of synthetic and natural fibre reinforced polymer composites- a review

Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies ◽

10.1080/2374068x.2021.1945293 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-24

Author(s):

Smaranika Nayak ◽

Ramesh Kumar Nayak ◽

Isham Panigrahi

Keyword(s):

Polymer Composites ◽

Natural Fibre ◽

Low Velocity Impact ◽

Low Velocity ◽

Impact Properties ◽

Velocity Impact ◽

Reinforced Polymer ◽

Fibre Reinforced Polymer

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Sequential Laser–Mechanical Drilling of Thick Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites (CFRP) for Industrial Applications

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13132136 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 2136

Author(s):

Sharizal Ahmad Sobri ◽

Robert Heinemann ◽

David Whitehead

Keyword(s):

Carbon Fibre ◽

Polymer Composites ◽

Weight Ratio ◽

High Strength ◽

Industrial Applications ◽

Fibre Laser ◽

Reinforced Polymer ◽

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer ◽

Fibre Reinforced Polymer ◽

Thrust And Torque

Carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) can be costly to manufacture, but they are typically used anywhere a high strength-to-weight ratio and a high steadiness (rigidity) are needed in many industrial applications, particularly in aerospace. Drilling composites with a laser tends to be a feasible method since one of the composite phases is often in the form of a polymer, and polymers in general have a very high absorption coefficient for infrared radiation. The feasibility of sequential laser–mechanical drilling for a thick CFRP is discussed in this article. A 1 kW fibre laser was chosen as a pre-drilling instrument (or initial stage), and mechanical drilling was the final step. The sequential drilling method dropped the overall thrust and torque by an average of 61%, which greatly increased the productivity and reduced the mechanical stress on the cutting tool while also increasing the lifespan of the bit. The sequential drilling (i.e., laser 8 mm and mechanical 8 mm) for both drill bits (i.e., 2- and 3-flute uncoated tungsten carbide) and the laser pre-drilling techniques has demonstrated the highest delamination factor (SFDSR) ratios. A new laser–mechanical sequence drilling technique is thus established, assessed, and tested when thick CFRP composites are drilled.

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A review investigating the influence of nanofiller addition on the mechanical, thermal and water absorption properties of cellulosic fibre reinforced polymer composite

Journal of Industrial Textiles ◽

10.1177/15280837211057580 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152808372110575

Author(s):

Adnan Amjad ◽

Aslina Anjang Ab Rahman ◽

Habib Awais ◽

Mohd Shukur Zainol Abidin ◽

Junaid Khan

Keyword(s):

Surface Treatment ◽

Water Absorption ◽

Polymer Composites ◽

Moisture Absorption ◽

Low Cost ◽

Natural Fibre ◽

Great Promise ◽

Absorption Properties ◽

Reinforced Polymer ◽

Fibre Reinforced Polymer

Composite holds great promise for future materials considering its advantages such as excellent strength, stiffness, lightweight, and cost-effectiveness. Due to rising environmental concerns, the research speed gradually changes from synthetic polymer composites to natural fibre reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs). Natural fibres are believed a valuable and robust replacement to synthetic silicates and carbon-based fibres, along with biodegradability, recyclability, low cost, and eco-friendliness. But the incompatibility between natural fibre and polymer matrices and higher moisture absorption percentage of natural fibre limitise their applications. To overcome these flaws, surface treatment of natural fibre and nanofiller addition have become some of the most important aspects to improve the performance of NFRPCs. This review article provides the most recent development on the effect of different nanofiller addition and surface treatment on the mechanical, thermal, and wetting behaviour of NFRPCs. It concludes that the fibre surface treatment and nanofillers in natural fibre polymer composites positively affect mechanical, thermal and water absorption properties. A systematic understanding in this field covers advanced research basics to stimulate investigation for fabricating NFRPCs with excellent performance.

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Natural Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites

10.1201/9781003128861-1 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Garje C. Mohan Kumar ◽

Sabuj Mallik

Keyword(s):

Polymer Composites ◽

Natural Fibre ◽

Reinforced Polymer ◽

Fibre Reinforced Polymer

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Experimental analysis of adhesively bonded joints in synthetic- and natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites

Journal of Composite Materials ◽

10.1177/0021998319876979 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 54 (9) ◽

pp. 1245-1255 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

HFM de Queiroz ◽

MD Banea ◽

DKK Cavalcanti

Keyword(s):

Polymer Composites ◽

Automotive Industry ◽

Natural Fibre ◽

Lap Joints ◽

Bonded Joints ◽

Adhesively Bonded ◽

Adhesively Bonded Joints ◽

Reinforced Polymer ◽

Fibre Composites ◽

Fibre Reinforced Polymer

The application of adhesively bonded joints in automotive industry has increased significantly in recent years mainly because of the potential for lighter weight vehicles, fuel savings and reduced emissions. The use of composites in making automotive body components to achieve a reduced vehicle mass has also continuously increased. Natural fibre composites have recently attracted a great deal of attention by the automotive industry due to their many attractive benefits (e.g. high strength-to-weight ratio, sustainable characteristics and low cost). However, the literature on natural fibre-reinforced polymer composite adhesive joints is scarce and needs further investigation. The main objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the mechanical performance of adhesively bonded joints made of synthetic- and natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites. Similar and dissimilar single lap joints bonded with a modern tough structural adhesive used in the automotive industry, as well as the epoxy resin AR260 (the same resin used in composite fabrication) were tested. It was found that the average failure loads varied significantly with adhesive material strength and adherend stiffness. Furthermore, it was also observed that failure mode has a significant effect in failure load. The jute-based natural fibre composites joints, both hybrid and purely natural, were superior in strength compared to the sisal-based natural composites joints.

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