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New Discovery in the Properties of Composites Reinforced with Natural Fibers

Bremer Institut Für Betriebstechnik und Angewandte Arbeitswissenschaft an der Universität Bremen (BIBA) Hochschulring 20, 28359 Bremen, Germany, ml{at}biba.uni-bremen.de

Andreas Krobjilowski

Bremer Institut Für Konstruktionstechnik (BIK) Universität Bremen, Fachbereich 04 Badgasteiner Straße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany

Composite materials with thermoplastic matrices and a reinforcement of natural fibers are increasingly regarded as an alternative to glass fiber-reinforced composites. The substitution of the traditionally used reinforcing glass fibers by natural fibers such as flax, kenaf, or cotton can lead to a reduction of the component's weight and furthermore to a significant improvement of specific properties like impact strength, crash behaviour, or sound absorption. One of the major fields of application for such materials can be found in structural components for the automotive industry. Product examples are door trim panels, headliners, or back panels. At present the processing of such materials into structural parts usually takes place by thermal compression molding. Semiproducts (so-called hybrid fleeces) are employed, which are generated by carding or air-laid processes and subsequent mechanical bonding. This paper presents a survey and latest developments on the material, processing technologies, and fields of applications. Furthermore, acoustical investigations on cotton-based composite materials are presented.

Key Words: natural fiber • flax • cotton • composite • compression molding • product optimisation • acoustical absorbancy • mechanical characterisation.

Journal of Industrial Textiles, Vol. 33, No. 2, 111-130 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/152808303039248


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