Improving the Impact Strength of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites by Specifically Designed Material and Process Parameters

Abstract

Composite materials and layered structures based on natural plant fibers are increasingly regarded as an alternative to glass fiber reinforced parts. One of their major field of application can be found in structural components for the automotive industry. Product examples are door trim panels or instrument panels. For such applications an utmost impact strength is required in order to implement a maximum of passenger safety by a good crash behavior. The paper describes the effects of several material parameters such as fiber fineness or fleece composition as well as the impact of the process conditions on this important composite characteristic.