Tropical Natural Fibre Composites

In this chapter, background of composite materials is presented followed by discussion of various major classifications of composites such as polymer matrix composites, metal matrix composites and ceramic matrix composites. Sections of history of composites, advantages and disadvantages of composites, advanced composites, nanocomposites and natural fibre composites are made available to the readers. This chapter is presented as background information for the topic of the main concern in this book, i.e. tropical natural fibre reinforced composites. Tropical natural fibre composites are chosen because majority of the contents of this book are based on the work carried out on natural fibre composites in one of the tropical country, i.e. Malaysia.

In this chapter, a background of the importance of natural fibres is presented. The advantages and disadvantages of tropical natural fibres are listed. The chapter elaborates seven types of tropical natural fibres commonly being studied and used. The information about fibre extraction process, the application of fibres and other important topics are discussed.

In this chapter a study of biopolymer is presented. Biopolymer is classified into five categories in this book namely polylactide, thermoplastic starch, cellulose, polyhydroxyalkanoates and synthetic biopolymer.

In this chapter, studies on mechanical properties of selected tropical natural fibre reinforced polymer composites are presented. Banana, coconut, kenaf, oil palm, sugar palm, sugarcane and pineapple fibre reinforced polymer composites were the tropical natural fibre composites elaborated in this chapter. Tensile, flexural and impact properties were among the mechanical properties being studied. The effects of various parameters on mechanical properties of tropical natural fibre composites were investigated. These parameters include fibre contents, type of treatment agents, and fibre sizes. A section on fibre-matrix interfacial bonding including fibre treatments is also presented. Brief discussion on water absorption of natural fibre composites is also made available for the readers.

In this chapter, two main topics in product development of products from tropical natural fibre composites; product design and materials selection are discussed. Engineering design process is presented and the emphasis is on the total design. Conceptual design and detail design are key activities in design but only conceptual design is emphasized in this book. Design approach for natural fibre composites may be different from metals, conventional composites, polymer and ceramic. Various idea generation techniques are discussed. Concept evaluation techniques for tropical natural fibre composite product development were reviewed. Design for manufacture is briefly reviewed. Materials selection using various tools and techniques suitable selection of tropical natural fibre composite materials is finally presented. Topic of design of products from tropical natural fibre reinforced polymer composites is still new. A lot of areas within this topic that can be explored such as in the areas of design for manufacture of natural fibre composites, design analysis during conceptual and detail design of products from natural fibre composites, design for sustainability for natural fibre composites, mould flow analysis for natural fibre composites and design to cost for natural fibre composite products. All those topics were originally intended to included in this chapter but due to space constraints, they are proposed to be included in future publication.

In this chapter, an overview of manufacturing process for tropical natural fibre composites is presented. Among the composite manufacturing processes reported to be used to product products from tropical natural fibre composites include hand lay-up, filament winding, pultrusion, resin transfer moulding, vacuum bag moulding, compression moulding, injection moulding, vacuum assisted resin infusion and extrusion.

This short chapter presents the application of tropical natural fibre composites. It started with the use of these materials in automotive components mainly in Malaysian context. Academic exercises of the author and his colleagues in the form of products are also presented.