Economic opportunities in natural fiber- thermoplastic composites

摘要

Combining agro-fibers (lignocellulosics) with other resources provides a strategy for producing advanced composite materials that take avantage of the properties of both types of resources. It allows the scientist to design materials based on end-use requirements within a framework of cost, availability, recyclability, energy use, and environmental considerations. Lignocellulosic resources have low densities, are low in cost, renewable, non-abrasive, have excellent specific mechanical properties, and are potentially outstanding reinforcing fillers in thermoplastic composites. The specific tensile and flexural moduli, for example, of a 50 percent by volume of kenaf-PP composite compares favorably with a 40 percent by weight of glass fiber-PP injection molded composite. These new composite materials are finding new applications and new markets never before enviisioned by the agro-based industry.