scholarly journals Introductory Chapter: Natural Fiber Plastic Composites - A Brief Review

Author(s):  
Ezgi Günay
Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (21) ◽  
pp. 6384
Author(s):  
Xiaoping Li ◽  
Mingli Qiang ◽  
Mingwei Yang ◽  
Jeffrey J. Morrell ◽  
Neng Zhang

Natural fiber/plastic composites combine the low density and excellent mechanical properties of the natural fiber with the flexibility and moisture resistance of the plastic to create materials tailored to specific applications in theory. Wood/plastic composites (WPC) are the most common products, but many other fibers are being explored for this purpose. Among the more common is hemp hurd. Natural fibers are hydrophilic materials and plastics are hydrophobic, therefore one problem with all of these products is the limited ability of the fiber to interact with the plastic to create a true composite. Thus, compatibilizers are often added to enhance interactions, but fiber pretreatments may also help improve compatibility. The effects of pectinase or cellulase pretreatment of wood/hemp fiber mixtures in combination with coupling agents were evaluated in polypropylene panels. Pretreatments with pectinase or cellulase were associated with reduced thickness swell (TS24h) as well as increased modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity. Incorporation of 5.0% silane or 2.5% silane/2.5% titanate as a coupling agent further improved pectinase-treated panel properties, but was associated with diminished properties in cellulase treated fibers. Combinations of enzymatic pretreatment and coupling agents enhanced fiber/plastic interactions and improved flexural properties, but the effects varied with the enzyme or coupling agent employed. The results illustrate the potential for enhancing fiber/plastic interactions to produce improved composites.


2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 347-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.M. Rizvi ◽  
G. Guo ◽  
C.B. Park ◽  
Y.S. Kim

Foaming of wood-fiber/plastic composites (WPC) with a fine-celled structure can offer benefits such as improved ductility and impact strength, lowered material cost, and lowered weight, which can improve their utility in many applications. However, foaming of WPC is still a poorly understood art. This paper presents a review of material published, which address the various critical issues particularly in extrusion foaming of WPC, and the proposed processing techniques and strategies, for producing artificial wood with enhanced properties.


Natural fibers from plants are gaining importance and may substitute wood in the production of wood plastic composites (WPC). To ensure continuity of fiber supply and sustainability of WPC industries, fibers of various types could be mixed together to obtain Mix WPC. However, research need to be carried out to identify the contribution of different fiber type collectively to the mechanical properties of Mix natural fiber polymer composite (NFPC). In this study, preliminary work on the use of natural fibre (NF) such as kenaf, sugar palm and pineapple leaf fibers in the preparation of Mix NFPC were carried out. Four different fiber mix samples with different fiber ratio and size were formulated using polypropylene (PP) as the polymer matrix. Montmorrilonite (MMT) filler was added at constant amount for enhancement of composite mechanical properties. Samples were mixed and prepared using a twin screw extruder and mini injection moulding resepectively. Individual fibers and NFPC prepared were characterized using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Tensile, flexural and impact strength of the composites were determined. Generally, it was found that addition of fiber mix at 50% fiber loading enhance the tensile and flexural strength of the various NFPC with minimal exceptions. The impact strength of the composites were comparable to that of blank PP implying that addition of fiber gives additional advantage besides being eco-friendly. It was also found that higher kenaf loading and different size of fiber mix contribute positively to the various strengths measured. In addition to that, composition of individual fibers also contribute to the mechanical properties of the NFPCs


2014 ◽  
Vol 77 (7) ◽  
pp. 1129-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Scholz ◽  
Lothar Kroll ◽  
Frank Schettler

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