This book provides a general overview of the importance of fibre-matrix interfacial bonding characteristics in natural fibre-based composites to obtain optimal material properties for a specific application. Composites materials are prepared by combining fibres and polymers to achieve superior materials properties than those of the individual components. Composite materials are used to produce lightweight components with increased stiffness and strength; their properties can also be tailored for any specific applications. The glass fibre reinforced composites dominate 95% of the thermoplastic and thermoset-based composites. However, the natural fibre reinforced composites can give competition to the glass fibres due to their advantages such as biodegradability, low density, low cost, and good mechanical properties. This book looks into biocomposites and its important aspect of optimization of materials’ performance by fine-tuning the fibre-matrix bonding characteristics. The chapters in the book look at different plant fibres such as kenaf, pineapple leaf, jute, date palm, luffa, cotton, hemp, wood, bamboo, flax, and straw and the different approaches to enhance the fibre-matrix interfacial bonding through physical and/or chemical treatment methods. It demonstrates that the nature of fibre-matrix bonding has a significant effect on the properties such as tensile, flexural, impact, inter-laminar shear strength, moisture absorption, thickness swelling, thermal, chemical, damping, creep, and fatigue. Its content appeals to academics, students, researcher, and scientist who are working in the field to produce biodegradable and recyclable materials in the composite industry.

This book provides a general overview of the importance of fibre-matrix interfacial bonding characteristics in natural fibre-based composites to obtain optimal material properties for a specific application. Composites materials are prepared by combining fibres and polymers to achieve superior materials properties than those of the individual components. Composite materials are used to produce lightweight components with increased stiffness and strength; their properties can also be tailored for any specific applications. The glass fibre reinforced composites dominate 95% of the thermoplastic and thermoset-based composites. However, the natural fibre reinforced composites can give competition to the glass fibres due to their advantages such as biodegradability, low density, low cost, and good mechanical properties. This book looks into biocomposites and its important aspect of optimization of materials’ performance by fine-tuning the fibre-matrix bonding characteristics. The chapters in the book look at different plant fibres such as kenaf, pineapple leaf, jute, date palm, luffa, cotton, hemp, wood, bamboo, flax, and straw and the different approaches to enhance the fibre-matrix interfacial bonding through physical and/or chemical treatment methods. It demonstrates that the nature of fibre-matrix bonding has a significant effect on the properties such as tensile, flexural, impact, inter-laminar shear strength, moisture absorption, thickness swelling, thermal, chemical, damping, creep, and fatigue. Its content appeals to academics, students, researcher, and scientist who are working in the field to produce biodegradable and recyclable materials in the composite industry.

The use of natural fibres as reinforcements in composites has grown in importance in recent years. Natural Fibre Composites summarises the wealth of significant recent research in this area. Chapters in part one introduce and explore the structure, properties, processing, and applications of natural fibre reinforcements, including those made from wood and cellulosic fibres. Part two describes and illustrates the processing of natural fibre composites. Chapters discuss ethical practices in the processing of green composites, manufacturing methods and compression and injection molding techniques for natural fibre composites, and thermoset matrix natural fibre-reinforced composites. Part three highlights and interprets the testing and properties of natural fibre composites including, non-destructive and high strain rate testing. The performance of natural fibre composites is examined under dynamic loading, the response of natural fibre composites to impact damage is appraised, and the response of natural fibre composites in a marine environment is assessed. Natural Fibre Composites is a technical guide for professionals requiring an understanding of natural fibre composite materials. It offers reviews, applications and evaluations of the subject for researchers and engineers. - Introduces and explores the structure, properties, processing, and applications of natural fibre reinforcements, including those made from wood and cellulosic fibres - Highlights and interprets the testing and properties of natural fibre composites, including non-destructive and high strain rate testing - Examines performance of natural fibre composites under dynamic loading, the response of natural fibre composites to impact damage, and the response of natural fibre composites in a marine environment

Research on natural fiber composites is an emerging area in the field of polymer science with tremendous growth potential for commercialization. Hybrid Natural Fiber Composites: Material Formulations, Processing, Characterization, Properties, and Engineering Applications provides updated information on all the important classes of natural fibers and their composites that can be used for a broad range of engineering applications. Leading researchers from industry, academia, government, and private research institutions from across the globe have contributed to this highly application-oriented book. The chapters showcase cutting-edge research discussing the current status, key trends, future directions, and opportunities. Focusing on the current state of the art, the authors aim to demonstrate the future potential of these materials in a broad range of demanding engineering applications. This book will act as a one-stop reference resource for academic and industrial researchers working in R&D departments involved in designing composite materials for semi structural engineering applications. - Presents comprehensive information on the properties of hybrid natural fiber composites that demonstrate their ability to improve the hydrophobic nature of natural fiber composites - Reviews recent developments in the research and development of hybrid natural fiber composites in various engineering applications - Focuses on modern technologies and illustrates how hybrid natural fiber composites can be used as alternatives in structural components subjected to severe conditions

Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composites In-depth overview of thermal analysis of natural fiber-reinforced composites In Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composites: Thermal Properties and Applications, a team of distinguished researchers has delivered a comprehensive overview of the thermal properties of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites. The book brings together information currently dispersed throughout the scientific literature and offers viable and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional composites. The book highlights the thermal analysis of natural fiber-reinforced composites with techniques such as Thermogravimetric Analysis, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Thermomechanical Analysis, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, etc. This book provides: A thorough review of the thermal characterization of natural fiber-based hybrid composites Detailed investigation of the thermal properties of polymer composites reinforced with various natural fibers such as flax fiber, pineapple leaf fiber, sisal, sugar palm, grass fiber and cane fiber Discussions on the thermal properties of hybrid natural fiber-reinforced composites with various thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers Influence of nanofillers on the thermal stability and thermal decomposition characteristics of the natural fiber-based hybrid composites Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composites: Thermal Properties and Applications is a must-read for materials scientists, polymer chemists, and professionals working in the industry. This book is ideal for readers seeking to make an informed decision regarding materials selection for applications involving thermal insulation and elevated temperature. The suitability of natural fiber-reinforced composites in the automotive, mechanical, and civil engineering sectors is highlig

* It has been rumored that a bumble bee has such aerodynamic deficiencies that it should be incapable of flight. Fiberglass-reinforced polymer com posites, similarly, have two (apparently) insurmountable obstacles to per formance: 1) Water can hydrolyze any conceivable bond between organic and inorganic phase, and 2) Stresses across the interface during temperature cycling (resulting from a mismatch in thermal expansion coefficients) may exceed the strength of one of the phases. Organofunctional silanes are hybrid organic-inorganic compounds that are used as coupling agents across the organic-inorganic interface to help overcome these two obstacles to composite performance. One of their functions is to use the hydrolytic action of water under equilibrium condi tions to relieve thermally induced stresses across the interface. If equilib rium conditions can be maintained, the two problems act to cancel each other out. Coupling agents are defined primarily as materials that improve the practical adhesive bond of polymer to mineral. This may involve an increase in true adhesion, but it may also involve improved wetting, rheology, and other handling properties. The coupling agent may also modify the inter phase region to strengthen the organic and inorganic boundary layers.

The purpose of this book is to summarize the basic chemical aspects for obtaining multifunctional carbon nanotube-based polymer composites, but also to highlight some of the most remarkable advances that occurred in the field during the last recent years.