Natural fibers reinforced polymeric matrix: Thermal, mechanical and interfacial properties

Abstract

Natural fibers have recently become attractive to researchers, engineers, and scientists as an alternative reinforcement for fibers-polymer matrix composites. This interest comes from the combination of several advantages of natural fibers such as low cost, low density, non-toxicity, high specific properties, no abrasion during processing, and the possibility of recycling. The lack of compatibility between hydrophilic fibers and hydrophobic polymers (thermoplastics and thermosets), results a poor interfacial adhesion, which may negatively affect the final properties of the resulting composites. The tensile properties of composites based on natural fibers are mainly influenced by the interfacial adhesion, dispersion/distribution of fibers, and fibers loading. Several chemical modifications are used to enhance the interfacial adhesion resulting in an improvement of thermal and mechanical properties of the composites. This chapter presents a description of the natural fiber reinforcement composites/polymer matrix, and the context for the development and use of these products. The fibers used as reinforcement of thermoplastics matrix are Alfa, Doum, Pine cone, Hemp, Coir, and Bagasse. The knowledge of the structure and chemical composition of each component is required to understand the study of interactions between the reinforcing fibers and matrix.