Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Natural Fibers Reinforced Polymeric Matrix: Thermal, Mechanical and Interfacial Properties

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Biomass and Bioenergy

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abu-Zahra NH, Alian AM, Perez R, Chang H (2010) Extrusion of rigid PVC foam with nanoclay: synthesis and characterization. J Reinf Plast Comp 29:1153–1165

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arrakhiz FZ, El Achaby M, Kakou AC, Vaudreuil S, Benmoussa K, Bouhfid R, Fassi-Fehri O, Qaiss A (2012a) Mechanical properties of high density polyethylene reinforced with chemically modified coir fibers: impact of chemical treatments. Mater Des 37:379–383

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arrakhiz FZ, Elachaby M, Bouhfid R, Vaudreuil S, Essassi M, Qaiss A (2012b) Mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene reinforced with Alfa fiber under different chemical treatment. Mater Des 35:318–322

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arrakhiz FZ, El Achaby M, Benmoussa K, Bouhfid R, Essassi M, Qaiss A (2012c) Evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties of Pine cone fibers reinforced compatibilized polypropylene. Mater Des 40:528–535

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arrakhiz FZ, Malha M, Bouhfid R, Benmoussa K, Qaiss A (2013a) Tensile, flexural and torsional properties of chemically treated alfa, coir and bagasse reinforced polypropylene. Compos Part B Eng 47:35–41

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arrakhiz FZ, Benmoussa K, Bouhfid R, Qaiss A (2013b) Pine cone fiber/clay hybrid composite: mechanical and thermal properties. Mater Des 50:376–381

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arrakhiz FZ, El Achaby M, Malha M, Bensalah MO, Fassi-Fehri O, Bouhfid R, Benmoussa K, Qaiss A (2013c) Mechanical and thermal properties of natural fibers reinforced polymer composites: Doum/low density polyethylene. Mater Des 43:200–205

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beckermann GW, Pickering KL (2008) Engineering and evaluation of hemp fiber reinforced polypropylene composites: fiber treatment and matrix modification. Compos Part A Appl Sci 39:979–988

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belgacem MN, Gandini A (2005) The surface modification of cellulose fibres for use as reinforcing elements in composite materials. Compos Interfaces 12:41–75

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Belgacem MN, Czeremuszkin G, Sapieha S, Gandini A (1995) Surface characterization of cellulose fibres by XPS and inverse gas chromatography. Cellulose 2:145–157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Belgacem MN, Blayo A, Gandini A (1996) Surface characterization of polysaccharides, lignins, printing ink pigments, and ink fillers by inverse gas chromatography. J Colloid Interface Sci 182:431–436

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bledzki AK, Gassan J (1999) Composites reinforced with cellulose based fibers. Prog Polym Sci 24:221–274

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cao Y, Shibata S, Fukumoto I (2006) Mechanical properties of biodegradable composites reinforced with Bagasse fibre before and after alkali treatments. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 37(3):423–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elkhaoulani A, Arrakhiz FZ, Benmoussa K, Bouhfid R, Qaiss A (2013) Mechanical and thermal properties of polymer composite based on natural fibers: Moroccan hemp fibers/polypropylene. Mater Des 49:203–208

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Essabir H, Hilali E, Elgharad A, El Minor H, Imad A, Elamraoui A, Al Gaoudi O (2013a) Mechanical and thermal properties of bio-composites based on polypropylene reinforced with Nut-shells of Argan particles. Mater Des 49:442–448

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Essabir H, Elkhaoulani A, Benmoussa K, Bouhfid R, Arrakhiz FZ, Qaiss A (2013b) Dynamic mechanical thermal behavior analysis of doum fibers reinforced polypropylene composites. Mater Des 41:780–788

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Essabir H, Nekhlaoui S, Malha M, Bensalah MO, Arrakhiz FZ, Qaiss A, Bouhfid R (2013c) Bio-composites based on polypropylene reinforced with almond shells particles: mechanical and thermal properties. Mater Des 51:225–230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freire CSR, Silvestre AJD, Neto CP, Gandini A, Martin L, Mondragon I (2008) Composites based on acylated cellulose fibers and low-density polyethylene: effect of the fiber content, degree of substitution and fatty acid chain length on final properties. Compos Sci Technol 68:3358–3364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huu Nam T, Ogihara S, Huy Tung N, Kobayashi S (2011) Effect of alkali treatment on interfacial and mechanical properties of coir fiber reinforced poly (butylenes succinate) biodegradable composites. Compos Part B Eng 42(6):1648–1656

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ISO 527-1 (2012) Plastics—determination of tensile properties—part 1: general principles

    Google Scholar 

  • Kannan M, Bhagawan SS, Jose T, Thomas S, Joseph K (2010) Preparation and characterization of nanoclay-filled polyurethane/polypropylene blends. Polym Eng Sci 50:1878–1886

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kato K, Vasilets VN, Fursa MN, Meguro M, Ikada Y, Nakamae K (1999) Surface oxidation of cellulose fibers by vacuum ultraviolet irradiation. J Polym Sci Part A Polym Chem 37:357–361

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ku H, Wang H, Pattarachaiyakoop N, Trada M (2011) A review on the tensile properties of natural fiber reinforced polymers composites. Compos Part B Eng 42:856–873

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu FPP, Rials TG, Simonsen J (1998) Relationship of wood surface energy to surface composition. Langmiur 14:536–541

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malha M, Nekhlaoui S, Essabir H, Benmoussa K, Bensalah MO, Arrakhiz FZ, Bouhfid R, Qaiss A (2013) Mechanical and thermal properties of compatibilized polypropylene reinforced by woven doum. J Appl polym Sci 130(6):4347–4356

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nazrul I Md, Rezaur R Md, Mominul H Md, Monimul H Md (2010) Physicomechanical properties of chemically treated coir reinforced polypropylene composites. Compos Part A Appl Sci 41:192–198

    Google Scholar 

  • Ofomaja AE, Naidoo EB (2011) Biosorption of copper from aqueous solution by chemically activated Pinecone: a kinetic study. Chem Eng J 175:260–270

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pickering KL, Beckermann GW, Alam SN, Foreman NJ (2007) Optimizing industrial hemp fiber for composites. Compos Part A Appl Sci 38:461–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qaiss A, Bousmina M (2011) Biaxial stretching of polymers using a novel and versatile stretching system. Polym Eng Sci 51:1347–1353

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qaiss A, Saidi H, Fassi-Fehri O, Bousmina M (2012) Cellular polypropylene-based piezoelectric films. Polym Eng Sci 52:2637–2644

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qaiss A, Saidi H, Fassi-Fehri O, Bousmina M (2013) Theoretical modeling and experiments on the piezoelectric coefficient in cellular polymer films. Polym Eng Sci 53:105–111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rowell RM, Han JS, Rowell JS (2000) Characterization and factors effecting fiber properties in natural polymers and agro fibers based composites. FROLLINI, E., ed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawpan MA, Pickering KL, Fernyhough A (2011) Effect of various chemical treatments on the fiber structure and tensile properties of industrial hemp fibers. Compos Part A Appl Sci 42:888–895

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torres FG, Cubillas ML (2005) Study of the interfacial properties of natural fiber reinforced polyethylene. Polym Test 24:694–698

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wambua P, Ivens J, Verpoest I (2003) Natural fibers: can they replace glass in fiber reinforced plastics? Compos Sci Technol 63:1259–1264

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu Y, Wu Q, Lei Y, Yao F (2010) Creep behavior of Bagasse fiber reinforced polymer composites. Bioresour Technol 101:3280–3286

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yang H, Yan R, Chen H, Lee DH, Zheng C (2007) Characteristics of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin pyrolysis. Fuel 86:1781–1788

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Moroccan Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research (MAScIR), Institute of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology (Nanotech), Rabat, Morocco

    Abou El Kacem Qaiss, Rachid Bouhfid & Hamid Essabir

Authors
  1. Abou El Kacem Qaiss
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rachid Bouhfid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hamid Essabir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abou El Kacem Qaiss .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    Khalid Rehman Hakeem

  2. Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    Mohammad Jawaid

  3. Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    Umer Rashid

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Qaiss, A.E.K., Bouhfid, R., Essabir, H. (2014). Natural Fibers Reinforced Polymeric Matrix: Thermal, Mechanical and Interfacial Properties. In: Hakeem, K., Jawaid, M., Rashid, U. (eds) Biomass and Bioenergy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07641-6_14

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation