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Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) 2755–2760 www.materialstoday.com/proceedings

5th International Conference on Materials Processing and Characterization

An Overview on Mechanical Property Evaluation of Natural Fiber

Reinforced Polymers
Arpitha.G.R*, B.Yogesha
DepartmentofMechanical Engineering, Malnad College ofEngineering,Hassan-573202, Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi,
Karnataka, India.

Abstract

This article presents an overview of the mechanical properties like tensile, flexural, impact, fracture surface
observations and corresponding modulus of elasticity of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. Natural fibers
have recently become attractive to scientists and researchers as good alternative for fiber reinforced composites
because of their low cost, non-abrasive and eco-friendly nature. Natural fibers may play an important role in
developing biodegradable composites to resolve the current ecological and environmental problems. In connection
with brief overview has been carried out on natural fibers because these are abundantly available in India. This
article shows that the natural fibers are also possesses good mechanical properties and these fiber composites can
also be used in different applications.

©2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Selection and peer-review under responsibility of Conference Committee Members of 5th International Conference of Materials
Processing and Characterization (ICMPC 2016).
Keywords:Natural fibre: Glass fibre · Polymer · Mechanical properties.

1. Introduction

A composite is a structural material that consists of two or more combined constituents that are combined at a
macroscopic level and are not soluble in each other. One constituent is called the reinforcing phase and the one in
which it is embedded is called the matrix.The reinforcing phase material may be in the form of fibers, particles, or
flakes. The matrix phase materials are generally continuous [1]. Fiber reinforced polymer materials are composites
consisting of high strength fibers (reinforcement) embedded in polymeric matrices. Fibers in these materials are the
load-carrying elements and provide strength and rigidity, while the polymer matrices maintain the fibers alignment
(position and orientation) and protect them against the environment and possible damage. A pure polymer does not
usually have the requisite mechanical strength for application in various fields. The reinforcement by high strength
fibers provides the polymer substantially enhanced mechanical properties and makes the fiber reinforced polymer
composites (FRPCs) suitable for a large number of diverse applications ranging from aerospace to sports equipment
[2]. Natural fiber composites combine plant-derived fibers with a plastic binder. The natural fiber components may
be wood, sisal, hemp, coconut, cotton, kenaf, flax, jute, abaca, banana leaf fibers, bamboo, wheat straw or other
fibrous material. The advantages of natural fiber composites include lightweight, low-

*Arpitha.G.R. Tel.:+919632109398.
E-mail address: by@mcehassan.ac.in

2214-7853© 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the conference committee members of the 5th International conference on Materials Processing
and Characterization.
2756 Arpitha.G.R, B.Yogesha/ Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) 2755–2760

energy production, and environmental friendly; to name a few. The use of natural fibers reduces weight by 10% and
lowers the energy needed for production by 80%, while the cost of the component is 5% lower than the comparable
fiber glass-reinforced component [3].The interfacial bond between the reinforcing fibres and the resin matrix is an
important element in realising the mechanical properties of the composites. Because of the insufficient interface
quality between the fibres and the polymer matrix is the first and the most important problem in natural fiber
reinforced composites, the surface modification of the fibers by chemical treatments is one of the largest areas of
current research. Several authors have focused the studies on the treatment of fibres to improve the bonding with
resin matrix. A modification of the fibers can either increase or decrease the strength of the fibers, and thus an
understanding of what occurs structurally is of great importance [4].A better understanding of the chemical
composition and surface adhesive bonding of natural fiber is necessary for developing natural fiber-reinforced
composites. The components of natural fibers include cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, pectin, waxes and water
soluble substances [5]. Normally natural fibre polymer composites are fabricated by using traditional manufacturing
techniques which are designed for conventional fibre reinforced polymer composites and thermo- plastics. These
techniques include resin transfer moulding (RTM), vacuum infusion, compression moulding, direct extrusion,
compounding and injection moulding. Nevertheless, such techniques have been well developed and accumulated
experience has proofed their success ability for producing composites with controllable quality. However, their
suitability for natural fibre reinforced polymer composites is still unsure due to the materials, geometrical,
mechanical, thermal and structural properties of the natural fibres and biodegradable polymers are somehow,
different with synthetic fibres and petroleum-based plastics, respectively [6]. Although the Synthetic FRPCs possess
superior mechanical strength, they have got some serious drawbacks such as high density, high cost compared to
polymers and poor recycling and nonbiodegradable properties. For these reasons, over the last few years’ natural
plant fibers reinforced polymer composites are increasingly gaining attention as viable alternative to Synthetic fibre
reinforced polymer composites [7-9].

This article aims to review the reported working on the effects of, chemical treatments, manufacturing techniques
and process parameters on tensile, flexural and impact properties of natural fiber reinforced composites.

2. Fiber reinforced polymer composites

Natural fibres as an alternative reinforcement in polymer composites have attracted the attention of many
researchers and scientists due to their advantages over conventional glass and carbon fibres [10]. These natural
fibers include flax, hemp, jute, sisal, kenaf, coir, kapok, banana, henequen and many others [8]. These composites
materials are suitably applicable for aerospace, leisure, construction, sport, packaging and automotive industries,
especially for the last mentioned application. The various advantages of natural fibres over man-made glass and
carbon fibres are low cost, low density, comparable specific tensile properties, nonabrasive to the equipments, non-
irritation to the skin, reduced energy consumption, less health risk, renewability, recyclability and biodegradability.
This leads to undesirable properties of the composites. It is therefore necessary to modify the fibre surface by
employing chemical modifications to improve the adhesion between fibre and matrix [11, 12]. In general, the
tensile strengths of the natural fibre reinforced polymer composites increase with fibre content, up to a maximum or
optimum value, the value will then drop. However, the Young’s modulus of the natural fibre reinforced polymer
composites increase with increasing fibre loading [13].

Synthetic fiber is the reinforcement agent most used in polypropylene (pp) based composites, as they have good
balance between properties and costs [14]. E-glass fibers have the lowest cost of all commercially available
reinforcing gfs, which is the reason for their widespread use in the fiber-reinforced plastic industry. S-glass,
originally developed for aircraft components and missile casings, has the highest tensile strength among all fibers in
use. However, the compositional difference and higher manufacturing cost make it more expensive than e-glass [15–
17]. Kevelar-29 and kevelar-49 are the most frequent types of aramid fibers for civil engineering applications.
Aramid, unlike the two aforementioned fiber types, suffers from a low compressive to tensile strength ratio. This
makes aramid fibers almost inefficient when subjected to cyclic loading especially when aramid reinforced polymers
are used as vertical braces or at joints [18].

Fillers are utilized to enhance the mechanical and physical properties of the composites and to make the final
product more economical. Fillers are capable of improving the FRP strength and toughness, and enhance fatigue,
 Arpitha.G.R, B.Yogesha/ Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) 2755–2760 2757

shrinkage, creep, and chemical resistance of the matrix. Additives also enhance some of the characteristics of the
final product and are available in the form of catalysts, promoters, inhibitors, coloring dyes, and releasing agents
[19].

3. Mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites

The strength and stiffness of plant fibers depend on the cellulose content and the spiral angle which the bands of
microfibrils in the inner secondary cell wall make with the fibre axis. That is, the structure and properties of natural
fibres depend on their source, age, etc. [20]. The structure and properties of the natural fibre itself, experimental
conditions such as fibre length, test speed etc., all have some effects on the properties of natural fibres[21-22].It has
been reported by several authors that modification of fibres improved the mechanical properties of composites.
From the Rule of Mixtures theory, the approximate composite modulus can be obtained from a modified Rule of
Mixtures as: Ec =EfVf + EmVm Where Ec, Ef & Em are young’s modulus of composites, fiber and matrix respectively
and Vf & Vm are volume fraction of fiber and matrix respectively [38].

Generally, the tensile properties of composites are markedly improved by adding fibers to a polymer matrix since
fibers have much higher strength and stiffness values than those of the matrices [22].Table 1 shows the tensile
properties of some natural fibres as reported by different researchers. The tensile strength of the natural fiber is
directly proportional to the cross sectional area of the fiber. The strength properties of natural fiber composites are
somewhat lower, because of less stiff and typically less brittle. Table 2 shows the flexural properties of different
natural fibers. The impact strength of natural fibres is shown in Table 3. It is reported that the natural fiber flax
shows highest flexural and impact strength among all other fibres.

Table 1 Tensile properties of Natural fibers

Fibres Tensile Strength Young’s modulus Elongation at break (%) Density (g/cm3) References
(MPa) (GPa)
Kenaf 930 53 1.6 - [23]
Banana 355 27-32 5.9 1.35 [24]
Sisal 511-695 9-24 2-3 1.34 [25]
Jute 393-773 26.5 1.9 1.48 [26]
Bamboo 290 17 - 1.25 [27]
Hemp 550-900 70 1.6 1.48 [12]
Coir 220 6 15-25 1.25 [12]
Sugar cane 290 - - 1.25 [27]
Rice husk 200-250 - - - [27]
Pineapple 413-1627 60-82 14.5 1.44 [28]
Cotton 400 12 3-10 1.51 [12]
Bagasse 350 22 5.8 0.89 [26]
Abaca 400 12 3-10 1.5 [26]
Banana 529-914 27-32 5.9 1.35 [28]
Curaua 500-1150 11.8 3.7-4.3 1.4 [26]
Flax 800-1500 60-80 1.2-1.6 1.4 [12]
Ramie 500 44 2 1.5 [26]
Green
134.3 2.16 - 0.84 [30]
Coconut
2758 Arpitha.G.R, B.Yogesha/ Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) 2755–2760

Table 2 Flexural properties of Natural fibers

Flexural Strength Flexural modulus

Fibre References
(MPa) (GPa)
Palmyra 59.19 3.54 [30]
Bamboo 40-50 4-5 [31]
Sisal 29.28-62.50 1.29-3.16 [32]
Curaua 200-250 12-20 [33]
Jute 60-80 6-8 [34]
Coir 29.226 - [35]
Banana 57.33 8.9 [3]
Pineapple 80.2 1.3 [2]
Rice husk 19.43 2.86 [2]
Kenaf 19.43 18.72 [2]
Flax 200-250 20-25 [36]

Table 3 Impact strength of Natural fibers

Impact Strength
Fibre References
(KJ/m2)
Coir 11 [35]
Banana 13.25 [3]
Jute 13.44 [34]
Flax 70-80 [36]
Coconut 8.36 [37]
Ukam 9.89 [37]
Sisal 8.36 [37]
Hemp 7.41 [37]

4. Fracture surface observations

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to observe the features of fracture surfaces and interfacial fiber matrix
[39]. The samples are cut through the cross-section of the failed region. The samples are positioned on a sample
holder with a silver paint and coated with gold to prevent charge build-up by the electron absorbed by the specimen.
A 15 kilovolt accelerating voltage is applied to achieve desired magnification [42]. This observation is used to
evaluate toughness and stiffness of natural composites. Fracture mode in composites can be divided into three basic
fractures types: Interlaminar, Intralaminar and Tranlaminar. In natural fibers three types of failure can occur namely
matrix failure, fiber fracture and fiber matrix interfacial failure. The roughness of a fracture surface has generally
been associated with fracture properties and critical strain energy release rates. Smooth featureless fracture surface is
attributed to brittle failures and rougher fracture surfaces are attributes to tougher to tougher nanocomposite research
has shown that changes in fracture morphologies suggest different toughening mechanism at low and high clay
loading [40]. An increase in fracture surface roughness is an indicator ofcrack deflection mechanism, which
increased the absorbedenergy of fracture by increasing the crack length during deformation [41].
 Arpitha.G.R, B.Yogesha/ Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) 2755–2760 2759

5. Applications

Natural fibers may play an important role in developing biodegradable composites to resolve the current ecological
and environmental problems. Composites made of natural fibers offer the opportunity for extensive applications in
fields such as consumer goods, low cost housing and civil structures, and for many other common applications
where the prohibitive cost of reinforcements at present restricts the use of conventional lightweight
reinforcedPlastics[43]. The cement composites reinforced by bamboo pulps are produced by the vacuum pressure
process, seeking to establish the characteristics of a material which can be easily fabricated, utilizing the machinery
of asbestos cement industry. The bamboo pulp is used in the paper industry on a large scale. There are studies
underway to produce durable furniture and new geometrical structural forms, as well as bicycles, tricycles and car
bodies using bamboo. The kenaf bast fibre is used for bags, cordage, and the sails for Egyptian boats. The uses of
kenaf fibre have been rope, twine, insulation, clothing-grade cloth, soil-less potting mixes, animal bedding, packing
material and material that absorbs oiland liquids. Jute is used as packaging material (bags), carpet, backing, ropes
and yarns.The Sisal fibres are found commercially in several formats: fabric, cords, strips,wire, rolls, etc.

6. Conclusion

The mechanical property of natural fibres varies from fibre to fibre. The mechanical properties of fiber depend on
type of fibre, origin age, volume fraction physical properties, structure, environmental conditions and processing
methods. Different matrix systems have different properties. Natural fibres have well prospective as reinforcements
in polymer composites. Due to high specific properties and low density of natural fibres, composites based on these
fibres may have very good implications in industries. From this review newer composite using abundantly available
natural fibres brings new trends in composite materials. This article shows that the natural fibers are also possesses
good mechanical properties and these fiber composites can also be used in different applications.

Acknowledgement

Arpitha G R is grateful to Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP-II) under the Govt. of
India for providing fellowship and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) (Ref No: 8-
191/RFID/RPS/POLICY-1/2014-15) for financial support.

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