Development and Characterization of Natural Fiber and Nano Powder Reinforced Polymer Composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT newlineEnvironmental awareness today motivates researchers, worldwide to studies natural newlinefiber reinforced polymer composites and cost effective options to synthetic fiber newlinereinforced composite manufacture. The availability of natural fibers and the ease of newlinemanufacturing have tempted researchers to try locally available inexpensive fibers and newlineto study their feasibility for reinforcement purposes. These are attractive because they newlinecombine material properties in ways not found in nature. Such materials often result in newlinelightweight structures having high stiffness and tailored properties for specific newlineapplications, thereby saving weights and reducing energy needs. newlineAlso these materials have successfully substituted the traditional materials in newlineseveral light-weight and high-strength applications. The reasons on why the composites newlineare selected for such applications are mainly due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, newlinehigh tensile strength at elevated temperatures, high creep resistance and high toughness. newlineWith low cost and high specific mechanical properties, natural fiber represents a good newlinerenewable and biodegradable alternative to the most common synthetic reinforcement, newlinei.e. glass fiber. newlineDespite the interest and environmental appeal of natural fibers, their use is newlinelimited to non-bearing applications, due to their lower strength compared with synthetic newlinefiber-reinforced polymer composites. The stiffness and strength shortcomings of biocomposites newlinecan be overcome by structural configurations and better arrangement in a newlinesense of placing the fibers in specific locations for highest strength performance. newlineAccordingly, extensive studies on the preparation and properties of polymer newlinematrix composite (PMC) replacing the synthetic fiber with natural fiber like jute, sisal, newlinepineapple, bamboo, were carried out. These plant fibers have many advantages over newlineglass fiber or carbon fiber like renewable, environmental friendly, low cost, lightweight newlinev newlineand high specific mechanical performance. There are many potential natural resources, newline