Poly (ethylene-terephthalate) reinforced with hemp fibers: Elaboration, characterization, and potential applications

Abstract

This chapter covers the outcome of processing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with hemp fibers as a case study for the reinforcement of high-melting matrices (Tm 200 °C) with plant fibers. Such products have been emerging as important engineering materials in various sectors; however, their melt processing is hindered by the fibers’ limited thermostability. Moreover, their optimal application requires a judicious combination of different critical factors including the material’s properties and the processing parameters. The variations of those critical factors with the fiber concentration are investigated in this work, and the implications for their potential applications are examined, while giving a special consideration to those based on large deformations. The observed results are potentially transferrable to pave the way for the valorization of similar kinds of matrices and reinforcements.