Manufacturing of Natural Fiber-Based Thermoplastic Composites Using Microwave Energy

Abstract

Considerable research in materials in recent times is towards developing environmentally friendly lightweight materials to reduce the overall carbon footprints. Therefore, the usage of natural fiber-based thermoplastic composites in the fabrication of non-structural and low load-bearing automobile parts increases in the automotive sectors. However, the conventional methods are not energy efficient and take a reasonably long time even to fabricate tiny components, which leads to an overall increase in the manufacturing cost. In the current investigation, the concept of an environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and rapid processing technique—in the form of using microwaves as the source of energy, was introduced initially in the fabrication stage of composites and afterwards in joining the prior fabricated composites. Samples of pure polypropylene, polylactic acid, high-density polyethylene, along with reinforced short and woven natural fibers-based composites were successfully fabricated after multiple trials using a household microwave energy applicator working at 2.45 GHz frequency and in the power range of 800–900 W. Specially designed fixtures were developed separately for the fabrication and joining of natural fiber-based composites. This article will provide a basis for applying energy-efficient microwave energy for the fabrication of sustainable natural fiber-based thermoplastic composites.