Applications of Bio-Composites in Industrial Products
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Applications of Bio-Composites in Industrial Products Prabhu Kandachar and Rik Brouwer Delft University of Technology The Netherlands ABSTRACT Available as agricultural resources in many countries, natural fibers, such as flax, hemp, kenaf, exhibit mechanical properties comparable to those of synthetic fibers like glass. But they are lighter, biodegradable, and are often claimed to be less expensive. Composites with these natural fibers have the potential to be attractive alternative to synthetic fiber composites. The natural fibers, however, exhibit more scatter in their properties, are thermally less stable and are sensitive to moisture absorption. The choice of matrix to reinforce with these fibers therefore becomes critical. Currently, synthetic non-biodegradable polymers, such as polypropylene, polyester, etc., are being explored as matrix materials, for applications in sectors like automobiles and buildings. Biodegradable polymers, if made available in sufficient quantities at affordable prices, pave way for bio-composites in future. With both matrix and fibers being biodegradable, bio-composites become attractive candidates from the environment point of view. Extensive and reliable property data on natural fiber composites and/or on bio-composites, are still lacking, making product design with these materials rather tedious. Once the database is available, design & manufacture of products with natural fiber composites and biocomposites offer several opportunities and challenges. INTRODUCTION Modern man-made composite materials, based on synthetic ingredients, have attracted attention from designers due to their potential in achieving weight reduction and part-count reduction (and hence cost reduction). They possess excellent mechanical properties, often combined with low density. They also pose scientific and engineering challenges, as the composite material and the structure are designed concurrently. The oldest building materials are however natural: wood, bamboo, silk, eggshells, etc. They are by nature highly optimized for the functional requirements (e.g., trunks, branches, legs and wings to support or propel the organism), or they are highly stressed structural members (wood, bone) and are capable of adapting to change during living (bone, wood every year), modifying properties to the requirements [1]. In recent years, interest in natural fiber composites for industrial applications has increased significantly. This is partly due to the environmental concern about man made composites. Natural fibers are biodegradable and are from a renewable resource. Secondly, natural fibers have a potential in cost and weight reduction. They have a high specific stiffness (e.g., flax has a stiffness comparable to glass at half the density) and natural fiber composites have a non-brittle U4.1.1
fracture behavior which is an advantage in automotive interior. Finally from the view of occupational (during assembly and handling) health and safety, natural fibers are preferred to glass fibers. Natural fibers are less abra
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