COMPOSITE

1. INTRODUCTION The world is becoming conscious of the environment conservations & its safety. In the light of this scenario, composite fibers have a major role to play. Fiber composites find wide applications in various fields like medical, civil construction, automotive, defense, sports, marine, renewable energy & aerospace. A large variety of composite materials is available today. These materials having especially fibres as reinforcing material are getting increasing weightage day by day. The environment friendly approach of replacing conventional materials in use with light weight, cheap, easy to handle & eco friendly materials is getting an impetus. In its most basic form a composite material is one which is composed of at least two elements working together to produce material properties that are different to the properties of those elements on their own. In practice, most composites consist of a bulk material (the matrix), and a reinforcement of some kind, added primarily to increase the strength and stiffness of the matrix. This reinforcement is usually in fibre form.Also, the field of nanocomposite fibres is the upcoming one & India needs to look into this field considering its upper hand over the present day composites materials. 2. COMPOSITE ARE REQUIRED18 1. To increase stiffness, strength, or dimensional stability 2. To increase toughness (impact strength) 3. To increase heat-deflection temperature 4. To increase mechanical damping 5. To reduce permeability to gases and liquids 6. To modify electrical properties (e.g., increase electrical resistivity) 7. To reduce costs 8. To decrease water absorption 9. To decrease thermal expansion 10. To increase chemical wear and corrosion resistance 11. To reduce weight 12. To maintain strength/stiffness at high temperatures while under strain conditions in a

corrosive environment 13. To increase secondary uses and recyclables, and to reduce any negative impact on the environment 14. To improve design flexibility 3. CLASSIFACTIONS1, 8, 10, 13, 15, 16 3.1 Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs) These are the most common and will be discussed here. Also known as FRP - Fibre Reinforced Polymers (or Plastics) these materials use a polymer-based resin as the matrix, and a variety of fibres such as glass, carbon and aramid as the reinforcement. 3.2 Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) - Increasingly found in the automotive industry, these materials use a metal such as aluminum as the matrix, and reinforce it with fibres such as silicon carbide. 3.3 Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) - Used in very high temperature environments, these materials use a ceramic as the matrix and reinforce it with short fibres, or whiskers such as those made from silicon carbide and boron nitride. 4. POLYMER MATRIX COMPOSITES1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 23, 24 Resin systems such as epoxies and polyesters have limited use for the manufacture of structures on their own, since their mechanical properties are not very high when compared to, for example, most metals. However, they have desirable properties, most notably their ability to be easily formed into complex shapes. The properties of composite can be determined by: the properties of the fibre, resin, and the ratio of fibre to resin in the composite (Fibre Volume Fraction) also the geometry and orientation of the fibres in the composite is equally important. Materials such as glass, aramid and boron have extremely high tensile and compressive strength but in solid form these properties are not readily apparent. This is due to the fact that when stressed, random surface flaws will cause each material to crack and fail well below its theoretical breaking point. To overcome this problem, the material is produced in fibre form, so that, although the same number of random flaws will occur, they will be restricted to a small number of fibres with the remainder exhibiting the materials theoretical strength. Therefore a bundle of fibres will reflect more accurately the optimum performance of the material. However,

fibres alone can only exhibit tensile properties along the fibres length, in the same way as fibres in a rope. It is when the resin systems are combined with reinforcing fibres such as glass, carbon and aramid, that exceptional properties can be obtained. The resin matrix spreads the load applied to the composite between each of the individual fibres and also protects the fibres from damage caused by abrasion and impact. PMCs combine a resin system and reinforcing fibres. The graph below shows the property of fibre, frp composites and resin. Thus, we conclude that resin distributes the load equally by in polymeric matrix.

The ratio of the fibre to resin derives largely from the manufacturing process used to combine resin with fibre, However, it is also influenced by the type of resin system used, and the form in which the fibres are incorporated. . In general, since the mechanical properties of fibres are much higher than those of resins, the higher the fibre volume fraction the higher will be the mechanical properties of the resultant composite. In practice there are limits to this, since the fibres need to be fully coated in resin to be effective, and there will be an optimum packing of the generally circular cross-section fibres. The geometry of the fibres in a composite is also important since fibres have their highest mechanical properties along their lengths, rather than across their widths. This leads to the highly anisotropic properties of composites, where, unlike metals, the mechanical properties of the composite are likely to be very different when tested in different directions. This means that it is very important when considering the use of composites to understand at the design stage, both the magnitude and the direction of the applied loads.

4.1RESIN 4.1.1 Properties Any resin system for use in a composite material will require the following properties:

1. Good mechanical properties 2. Good adhesive properties 3. Good toughness properties 4. Good resistance to environmental degradation 4.1.2Resin Types The resins that are used in fibre reinforced composites are sometimes referred to as polymers. All polymers exhibit an important common property in that they are composed of long chain-like molecules consisting of many simple repeating units. Manmade polymers are generally called synthetic resins or simply resins. Polymers can be classified under two types, thermoplastic and thermosetting, according to the effect of heat on their properties. Typical thermoplastics include nylon, polypropylene and ABS, and these can be reinforced, although usually only with short, chopped fibres such as glass. Although there are many different types of resin in use in the composite industry, the majority of structural parts are made with three main types, namely polyester, vinylester and epoxy. 4.2 REINFORCEMENTS The role of the reinforcement in a composite material is fundamentally one of increasing the mechanical properties of the neat resin system. All of the different fibres used in composites have different properties and so affect the properties of the composite in different ways. The properties and characteristics of common fibres are explained below. However, individual fibres or fibre bundles can only be used on their own in a few processes such as filament winding (described later). For most other applications, the fibres need to be arranged into some form of sheet, known as a fabric, to make handling possible. Different ways for assembling fibres into sheets and the variety of fibre orientations possible lead to there being many different types of fabrics, each of which has its own characteristics. 4.2.1 Properties of Reinforcing Fibres & Finishes The mechanical properties of most reinforcing fibres are considerably higher than those of un-reinforced resin systems. The mechanical properties of the fibre/resin composite are therefore dominated by the contribution of the fibre to the composite. The four main factors that govern the fibers contribution are: 1. The basic mechanical properties of the fibre itself.

2. The surface interaction of fibre and resin (the interface). 3. The amount of fibre in the composite (Fibre Volume Fraction). 4. The orientation of the fibres in the composite.

4.2.2 Fibre Types GLASS By blending quarry products (sand, kaolin, limestone, colemanite) at 1,600C, liquid glass is formed. The liquid is passed through micro-fine bushings and simultaneously cooled to produce glass fibre filaments from 5-24 m in diameter. The filaments are drawn together into a strand (closely associated) or roving (loosely associated), and coated with a size to provide filament cohesion and protect the glass from abrasion. ARAMID Aramid fibre is a man-made organic polymer (an aromatic polyamide) produced by spinning a solid fibre from a liquid chemical blend. The bright golden yellow filaments produced can have a range of properties, but all have high strength and low density giving very high specific strength. All grades have good resistance to impact, and lower modulus grades are used extensively in ballistic applications. CARBON Carbon fibre is produced by the controlled oxidation, carbonisation and graphitisation of carbon-rich organic precursors which are already in fibre form. The most common precursor is polyacrylonitrile (PAN), because it gives the best carbon fibre properties, but fibres can also be made from pitch or cellulose. Variation of the graphitisation process produces either high strength fibres (@ ~2,600C) or high modulus fibres (@ ~3,000C) with other types in between. Once formed, the carbon fibre has a surface treatment applied to improve matrix bonding and chemical sizing which serves to protect it during handling. Some of the material not so widely used as reinforcement are: Quartz: A very high silica version of glass with much higher mechanical properties and excellent resistance to high temperatures (1,000C+). The manufacturing process and low volume production lead to a very high price (14 m - 74/kg, 9 m - 120/kg). Boron: Carbon or metal fibres are coated with a layer of boron to improve the overall fibre properties. The extremely high cost of this fibre restricts it use to high temperature aerospace

applications and in specialised sporting equipment. A boron/carbon hybrid, composed of carbon fibres interspersed among 80-100 m boron fibres, in an epoxy matrix, can achieve properties greater than either fibre alone, with flexuralstrength and stiffness twice that of HS carbon and 1.4 times that of boron, and shear strength exceeding that of either fibre. Ceramics: Ceramic fibres, usually in the form of very short whiskers are mainly used in areas requiring high temperature resistance. They are more frequently associated with nonpolymer matrices such as metal alloys. Natural: It is possible to use fibrous plant materials such as jute and sisal as reinforcements in low-tech applications. In these applications, the fibres low S.G. (typically 0.5-0.6) mean that fairly high specific strengths can be achieved.

Polyester: A low density, high tenacity fibre with good impact resistance but low modulus. Its lack of stiffness usually precludes it from inclusion in a composite component. It useful where low weight, high impact or abrasion resistance, and low cost are required. It is mainly used as a surfacing material, as it can be very smooth, keeps weight down and works well with most resin types. Polyethylene: In random orientation, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene molecules give very low mechanical properties. However, if dissolved and drawn from solution into a filament by a process called gel-spinning, the molecules become disentangled and aligned in the direction of the filament. The molecular alignment promotes very high tensile strength to the filament and the resulting fibre. Coupled with their low S.G. (<1.0), these fibres have the highest specific strength of the fibres described. 4.3 Applications of PMCS2, 4, 5, 8, 21 4.3.1 Medical application: y Poly (methymethacrylate) is used as bone and dental cement. It suffers from low crack propagation reaction, low impact resistance & fatigue resistance, & reduced fracture toughness. These drawbacks are removed by incorporating carbon & aramid fibers. (1-2%by weight of carbon & 6% of aramid). y Carbon, glass & aramid fibers are used to make denture base material.

CFRC are used in orthopedic implants of bones, middle ear implants (prosthesis), maxillofacial bone replacement, manufacturing of endoprosthesis & hip joint cups. In this silicon carbide matrix is used. CFRPC are replacing metal plates used in fracture treatments.

FRC are used for making artificial legs & arms that can be easily moulded and mimic the real ones.

CFRC give excellent films & plates required for X rays in angiography. These are carbon epoxy composites.

4.3.2. Automotive applications: Weight of the automobile reduces when composites are used. They are used in Engines & power trains, chassis & suspensions, car interiors like cushions & doors, Car bodies. 4.3.3.Civil construction & bridge repairs: Used for bridges, roadways, pipelines, waste water treatment plants, Retrofitting of old bridges, rehabilitation of old buildings. y For post reinforcement of concrete structures of bridges in the form of plates( GFRC &CFRC are used) 4.3.4.Defence applications: y Bullet proof helmets, bridge sections, pistol grips, assault boats, missile container, bullet resistant armor for vehicles & personnel. 4.3.5. Sports applications: Composites give improved mechanical properties & increased durability. y Carbon & boron fiber composites are used in tennis & badminton racquets , pole-vaulting pole rowing oars & golf clubs. Bows for archery, gun stocks & butt, hockey sticks, helmets, & face masks are also made. 4.3.6. Marine applications: y Fiber glass composites, Kevlar & carbon fibers are used in offshore oil industry for fire water piping, storage tanks, grating, fire & blast walls, cable trays, mud mats & sub sea well heads. y Used in Remote Operating Vehicles (ROV) & Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AOV), which are used for installation, retrieval & repair functions. They require light wts to carry more fuel. 4.3.7. Renewable energy: GRP used for: y Gas holders for biogas plants, Windmill blades, turbines, compressor, fly wheel, Solar cooker bodies

4.3.8. Aerospace application: y Light & high performing components of small planes, helicopters & large civilian planes are made from Kevlar & S2 glass fiber composites. Kevlar fibers are used for aircraft doors, fairings & radomes & for floorings & storage bins in planes. y Military aircraft components, rocket engine cases, cargo bay doors & booster rocket casings in the space shuttle use CFR resins. y y Carbon & Kevlar are fiber are used for load bearing components of planes. Carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin is used to for components in the tail section of the planes

4.3.9. FRP modular container. y It is a mobile container to house various kinds of equipment (electronic, electrical & mechanical) & to protect them from the effects of environmental changes in various sectors of operations 4.3.10. polymer concrete: It is the composite mixture of cement & small fibers ( glass, polymers, carbon fibers ) y Used for thin wall construction elements.

4.4. Methods of Fabrication: 4.4.1. Spray Lay up: Fibre is chopped in a hand-held gun and fed into a spray of catalyzed resin directed at the mould. The deposited materials are left to cure under standard atmospheric conditions. 4.4.2. Wet Lay-up/Hand Lay-up: Resins are impregnated by hand into fibres which are in the form of woven, knitted, stitched or bonded fabrics. This is usually accomplished by rollers or brushes, with an increasing use of nip-roller type impregnators for forcing resin into the fabrics by means of rotating rollers and a bath of resin. Laminates are left to cure under standard atmospheric conditions. 4.4.3. Vacuum Bagging: This is basically an extension of the wet lay-up process described above where pressure is applied to the laminate once laid-up in order to improve its consolidation. This is achieved by sealing a plastic film over the wet laid-up laminate and onto the tool. The air under the bag is extracted by a vacuum pump and thus up to one atmosphere of pressure can be applied to the laminate to consolidate it.

4.4.4. Filament Winding: This process is primarily used for hollow, generally circular or oval sectioned components, such as pipes and tanks. Fibre tows are passed through a resin bath before being wound onto a mandrel in a variety of orientations, controlled by the fibre feeding mechanism, and rate of rotation of the mandrel 4.4.5. Pultrusion: Fibres are pulled from a creel through a resin bath and then on through a heated die. The die completes the impregnation of the fibre, controls the resin content and cures the material into its final shape as it passes through the die. This cured profile is then automatically cut to length.. Although pultrusion is a continuous process, producing a profile of constant cross-section, a variant known as pulforming allows for some variation to be introduced into the cross-section. The process pulls the materials through the die for impregnation, and then clamps them in a mould for curing. This makes the process noncontinuous, but accommodating of small changes in cross-section. 4.4.6. Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM): Fabrics are laid up as a dry stack of materials. These fabrics are sometimes pre-pressed to the mould shape, and held together by a binder. These preforms are then more easily laid into the mould tool. A second mould tool is then clamped over the first, and resin is injected into the cavity. Vacuum can also be applied to the mould cavity to assist resin in being drawn into the fabrics. This is known as Vacuum Assisted Resin Injection (VARI). Once all the fabric is wet out, the resin inlets are closed, and the laminate is allowed to cure. Both injection and cure can take place at either ambient or elevated temperature. 5. METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES:2 5.1 General Features With metals, as matrix material, the properties of the composites are largely determined by the material supplier, and the person who fabricates the materials into a finished structure. A composite material is formed at the same time as the structure is itself being fabricated. This means that the person who is making the structure is creating the properties of the resultant composite material, and so the manufacturing processes they use have an unusually critical part to play in determining the performance of the resultant structure.

The metals that are used Al, Mg, Cu & Pb( good electrical properties) , Ti & Ni (great strength) & fibers used are metallic or non oxide ceramic(SiC, C, B) or oxide ceramic (Al2O3 , glass).

Metal matrix have higher temperature resistance then polymeric matrices & are preferred for high temperature applications.

Reinforcing fibers, particularly with ionic bonding, have lower surface energies than do the common metals. These mean that the equilibrium contact angle between liquid metals & fibers is high & therefore they are not infiltrated by the metal matrix to give a good composite. Also, there is the possibility of chemical interaction between the fiber & the matrix at high temp. To avoid this fiber coating is done.E.g. Al is reinforced with boron fibers, fiber is coated with boron carbide, or SiC.

5.2. Methods of fabrication of MMC'S 5.2.1. solid state fabrication: y Alternate layers of properly spaced boron fibers & Ti & Al foils are stacked & a combination of heat & pressure in vacuum causes the matrix to flow around the fibers. y Powder metallurgy technique: It can be used with discontinuous fibers or whiskers. Matrix metal powder & fibers are mixed & then pressed to consolidate . This may be followed by sintering to densify the product. y Coextrution or drawing can be used to incorporate continuous ductile wires or filaments in a ductile metallic matrix. y Plasma spray or chemical or physical vapour deposition of matrix material on properly laid up fibers followed by vacuum hot pressing to consolidate is used to form components 5.2.2.Liquid state fabrication: it involves the infiltration of continuous fibers by the metal matrix in the liquid form under atm. Or inert gas pressure or under vacuum. In the case of discontinuous fibers proper mixing by stirring with molten metal is done before casting. 5.2.3.Squeeze casting : also called liquid metal forging is preferred for Al alloys that are difficult to cast.Al porous fiber perform is prepared, say of discontinuous alumina (saffil) fibers , & inserted into the die located on the bed of a hydraulic press. Molten metal Al is poured into the pre-heated die. At a pressure of 70-100 Mpa, the molten Al penetrates the fiber perform & bonds the fibers, solidification of the matrix being completed under pressure , followed by the ejection of the component.

5.2.4. In-situ or eutectic composites are fabricated by controlled unidirectional solidification of the eutectic alloy with the other phase in fibrous form distributed in the matrix. Slow freezing rates are used. 5.3. Applications of MMCS: They have higher temperature capability, greater thermal & electrical conductivity, greater transverse tensile strength, greater shear & compressive strength & no problem of flammability & moisture sorption. They are mostly used in automotive & space related areas y Boron fiber reinforced aluminum matrix (low density) is used for tubular struss members in space shuttle orbiter. y SiC coated boron fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix & carbon fiber reinforced magnesium or Mg alloy matrix used is for turbine blades. y Al matrix reinforced with SiC whiskers having enhanced stiffness, wear resistance high temp. usability is used for pistons in automobile. y y Glass fiber reinforced lead is used as superior material for battery plates. Tungston fiber reinforced copper matrix is stiff, strong, has good electrical & thermal conductivity & is used as liners for cryogenic rocket engines. y Ni fiber reinforced stainless steel is used for making rocket engines.

6. CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES:2 6.1 General features y C, alumina, SiC, & metallic fibers are incorporated in glass, glass ceramic & oxide ceramic matrices. y They are strongly bonded materials with ionic & covalent character, which result in high strength & hardness. Consequently, there is little dislocation movement & the material is brittle. So, the strengths of polycrystalline ceramics are much lower than the theoretical values because of flaws in the material. 6.2. Methods of fabrication of CMCS Slurry infiltration wit hot pressing: fiber is drawn through a slurry of ceramic particles. The particles coat the fiber & the impregnated yarn is wound on the mandrel to form unidirectional tapes which can be dried, cut , laminated , hot pressed to produce the ceramic

composite. Hot pressing is the common technique. It is expensive technique, but the product obtained is of high quality 6.3. Applications of CMCs: y Hot pressed SiC fiber reinforced alumina matrix is replacing metallic carbide cutting tools. y CMCs used in heat engines where resistance to aggressive environments is required. 7. NATURAL FIBER COMPOSITE20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 y India, endowed with an abundant availability of natural fibres such as jute, coir, sisal, pineapple, ramie, bamboo, banana etc., has focussed on the development of natural fibre composites primarily to explore valueadded application avenues & to find substitutes for materials like wood. Also our R&D activities have been directed towards developing a cheaper resin alternative from natural and renewable resources like cashew nut shell liquid. y There are many examples of the use of cellulosic fibres in their native condition like sisal, coir, jute, banana, palm, flax, cotton, and paper for reinforcement of different thermoplastic and thermosetting materials like phenol formaldehyde, unsaturated polyester, epoxy, polyethylene, cement, natural rubber etc. Different geometries of these fibres, both singly and in combination with glass, have been employed for fabrication composites. y The natural fibre composites can be very cost effective material especially for building & construction industry (panels, false ceilings, partition boards etc.), packaging, automobile & railway coach interiors and storage devices. y As in synthetic fibre composites, the mechanical properties of the final product depend on the individual properties of the matrix, fibre and the nature of the interface between the two. Where the fibre is an agricultural one, it is possible to tailor the end properties of the composite by selection of fibres with a given chemical or morphological Composition. y Several studies of fibre composition and morphology have found that cellulose content and micro fibril angle tend to control the mechanical properties of cellulosic fibres. Higher cellulose content and lower micro fibril angle result in higher work of fracture in impact testing.

7.1. Modification Of natural fiber Modification of jute and other natural cellulosic fibres can be done by following means: 1. Chemical means 2. Coating with polymeric solutions and 3. Graft co-polymerization. 7.2. Methods of fabrication of composites: Following methods are used; 1. Hand lay up 2.Compression molding 3.Pultrusion 4.Resin Transfer Molding (RTM)

7.3. Advantages of natural fiber based composites: 1. Low specific gravity results in a higher specific strength and stiffness than glass. This is a benefit especially in parts designed for bending stiffness. 2. In addition, the natural fibres offer good thermal and acoustic insulation properties along with ease in processing technique without wearing of tool. 3. As compared to glass fiber natural fiber require less energy in growing, harvesting & processing. 4. They are recyclable & can be reused. 5. Production of glass fiber contains CO2, NOX & SOX gases. 7.4.Disadvantages of natural fiber composites: 1. The natural fibre imparts lower durability and lower strength compared to glass fibres 2. Due to presence of hydroxy and other polar groups in various constituents of natural fibre, the moisture uptake is high (approx. 12.5% at 65% relative humidity & 20oC) by dry fibre. All this leads to: (i) Poor wettability with resin and (ii)Weak interfacial bonding between the fibre and relatively more hydrophobic matrices. Environmental performance of such composites is generally poor due to delimitation under humid conditions. 3. Restricted material processing temperature. 4. Poor fire resistance. 5. Variable quality depending on unpredictable influences such as weather. 6. Price fluctuations because of harvest results & agricultural policies. 7.5. Applications: 1. The jute composites may be used in everyday applications such as lampshades, suitcases, paperweights, helmets, shower and bath units, used for covers of electrical appliances,

pipes, postboxes, roof tiles, grain storage silos, panels for partition & false ceilings, bio-gas containers. They are also used for automotive interiors, low cost housing for defense , shipping pellets, bobbins & spools, flower pots, toys, plastic decking & fencing, furniture & handles. 2. Jute & coir based composites have been developed as substitutes for plywood & medium density fibre boards that are used in applications in railway coaches for sleeper berth backing, for building interiors, doors & windows and also in the transportation sector as backings for seat & backrest in buses. 3. Sisal fibre based composites are used as panel & roofing sheets. 4. Coir (coconut fibre)-cement roofing sheet & medium density doors. 5. Sisal, banana, coir fibre composites are extensively used for cordage, sacks, fishnets, matting and rope, and as filling for mattresses and cushions (e.g. rubberized coir). 8. NANOCOMPOSITE FIBERS6, 7, 29 Nanocomposites have to do with nanotechnology which deals with the creation & utilization of material & devices at the level of atoms & molecules & the exploitation of unique properties & phenomena at the nanoscale. .Submicron polymer fibers like that of Kevlar offer large surface area, continuity, orientation, inherent flexibility & potential high compatibility in polymer matrix. Nanocomposites are looked upon as the solution to problems related to composites. It has been applied in many application fields successfully. One such example is the preparation of polypropylene silver nanocomposite fiber having excellent antibacterial effects. In this case, bicomponent sheath core fibres were prepared by a general melt spinning with polypropylene chips & silver nanoparticles. The melt spun fiber was characterized by DSC, WAXS & SEM. The antibacterial effect was evaluated by an AATCC 100 test, a quantitative method. The results of the DSC thermo gram & the intensity pattern of X-ray diffraction indicated that the crystallinity of polypropylene including silver nanoparticles was slightly decreased compared with the of pure polypropylene fibers. SEM micrographs showed that the average diameter of silver nanoparticles was approximately 30 nm & some particles had aggregated. The fibers which contained silver in the core parts did not show antibacterial effects. Fibers with added silver in the sheath part, however exhibited excellent antibacterial effects. In future, many such applications of nanocomposite fibers are expected.

9. CONCLUSIONS The fibre composites have been studied with respect to various aspects. There are several types of fibre composites like polymer matrix composites. Metal matrix composites , ceramic matrix composites & natural fibre composites. A particular type of composite may be selected as per the end use. They offer better properties than conventional materials like metals cost, weight & ease of handling is considered. These properties are going to play a major role in the use of composites as future materials. Various fabrication techniques of composites are available. Depending on end use & the salient features of the technique any particular technique may be selected. The applications of composites are increasing with their entry already in the fields like medical, civil construction, automotive, defense, sports, marine, renewable energy & aerospace. There exists lot of room for investigating their further application. Amongst all the composites the natural fibre composites are the most discussed ones today. India being rich in various natural fibres has taken an initiative in their applications. We may expect the replacement of all

conventional materials of use by natural fibre composites. Thus, holistically looking, 'fibre composites' is going to be a hot issue to be perceived . Considering this, we must direct our R&D to this field

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9. Hongu, T. & Philips, G.O., New Fibers, Ellis J. Harwood, chichester,U.K., (1990) 10 . Agarwal, B.D. & Broutman, L. J., Analysis & Performance Of Fiber Composites, John Wiley & sons Inc.,New York, (1991). 11. Mukhopadhyay, S.K.& Zhu, Y., Textile Research Journal,65,1,25(1995) 12. Nemoz, G., The Textile World At Crossroads, Annual World Conference, Dundee, U.K., 174-184(1990). 13. Agarwal, B.K., Introduction To Engineering Materials, Tata Mcgraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited, Delhi,(1988) 14. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia Of Chemical Technology, John Wiley & sons, Inc., vol.7,(1993) 15. http://www.spsystems.com 16. http://www.mse.cornell.edu 17. http://www.psrc.usm.edu 18. http://www.compositecenter.org 19. http://www.technica.net/NT/ewelcome.html 20. http://www.qmul.ac.uk/contact/directions.shtml 21.http://www.ornl.gov/home.html 22. http://www.cfa-hq.org 23. http://www.compositesatlantic.com/index_whatcomp.html 24. http://www.eng.uab.edu 25. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us (natural composites ) 26. http://www.hemphasis.net 27. http://www.e-ploymers.org 28. http://www.buscom.com 29. http://www.mat.ethz.ch 30. http://www.eng.usf 31. http://www.ticsc.org.in