A Study on the Processing Characteristics and Reinforcing Potential of Natural Fiber Mats

Abstract

Limited information exists regarding the processing parameters and extent of reinforcing potential natural fibers have in polymer matrices. The five natural fiber mats studied were low shive flax, mid shive flax, high shive flax, hemp and kenaf. The parameters characterized were fiber size, wax content, surface contact angle, and shive content. The compressive force and unsaturated permeability was measured for each mat, and composites were constructed and tested using selected mats in a soy-based polyurethane (PU) matrix. All mats exhibited a viscoelastic behavior under compression, and an increase in shive content correlated with an increase in relaxation. The presence of shive and larger fiber size increased the permeability. Higher wax content and contact angle lowered the permeability. The mechanical properties for all composites performed better than the neat PU, showing there was matrix to fiber adhesion and load transfer. Hemp outperformed the other fibers studied in all mechanical tests.