Agro-Fiber Based Composites With Use in Automotive Industry

Abstract

Natural reinforcement (for example: flax and jute) have already shown that it can be applied in composite parts to decrease the weight (up to 30 %) and the cost of vehicle production (by approximately 20 %), ultimately reducing the environmental burden. Their early utilization in the automotive sector dates to the 1990s in Europe. Natural fibers constitute an adequate substitute for E-glass due to their lower specific gravity, which means that natural fibers can provide more specific strength over stiffness when combined with a plastic matrix. These advantages help replace non-biodegradable (synthesis) composites and are beneficial for consumers. Taking advantage of the “environmentally friendly composites”, car manufacturers utilize them in the manufacture of components such as headliners, dashboards, door panels, and trunk-liners. The present paper summarizes research findings on natural fiber properties and their utilization in natural-fiber composites (NFC, or NFRC – natural-fiber reinforced composite) with a focus on the field of automotive production.