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Natural fibres hold numerous advantages over synthetic ones: eco-friendly, minimal health hazards, lesser density, low cost, biodegradability, and availability. The effect of bio-oil derived from palm oil manages the macro-porosity within the composite material, guarantees adequate cohesion between fibres and matrix, and ensures proper impregnation of fibre pull. In this present work, the effect of bio-oil of palm oil in natural fillers of basalt is added in kenaf fibres in mat form reinforced with epoxy matrix hybrid biocomposite which was fabricated by hand lay-up technique. Five different sequences were followed with varying fibre filler weight fractions. The composite ratio of 1:1 was followed through reinforcement, and matrix materials were experimentally investigated by mechanical properties of tensile, flexural, and impact strength. This study also examined the impact of the impregnation process on the mechanical properties of hybrid composite. The results show an average of 5% improved mechanical properties are 28.24 MPa, 31.26 MPa in tensile and flexural strength; and 74 shore D hardness number was observed in sample A and 15 J impact energy in sample E of biocomposites due to the bio-oil impregnation process. Furthermore, bio-oil-impregnated biocomposite absorbs additional weight during the structural loading. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis was conducted to examine the surface morphology of biocomposites and identify the failure mode during mechanical testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a thermal behaviour comparison of a new bamboo-based and banana-based Green Bio-Composites (GBC) is conducted using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and cone-calorimeter experiments. An Intumescent Fire-Retardant (IFR) coating (a mixture of Exolit IFR36 and boric acid) has been applied on the investigated GBC materials in order to explore the flammability resistance of such GBCs. Vacuum Bag Resin Transfer Moulding (VBRTM) technique has been used to manufacture the samples. TGA test have been conducted under oxidative atmosphere with three different heating rates while cone calorimeter tests have been performed with a horizontally exposure on the top surface of the sample. The outcomes of TGA revealed that Bamboo-based (BM-GBC) and Banana-based (Bn-GBC) materials exhibited similar thermal degradation patterns. However, BM-GBC outperformed Bn-based in the cone calorimetry analysis, this is proven by the fire reaction parameters as well as the higher char residue. In addition, IFR coating improved the flame retardancy of both GBCs, reduced the Peak Heat Release Rate (PHRR) by approximately 40–50% and smoke production (SEA) by 26%. SEM and EDS analysis of char residue were performed to deeply investigate the effectiveness of the IFR as a protecting layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite industries use natural fibre as a sustainable resource to improve the sustainability and eco-friendliness of polymer composites. The characterization of alkali-treated Moringa oleifera fruit husk fibres (AMOFHFs) reinforced in unsaturated polyester resin matrix with varying weight percent of nano-sized silicon carbide (SiC) particles as filler material is presented in this paper. The AMOFHFs reinforced composite (AMOFHFC) specimens contain 20 wt.% AMOFHFs and nano-sized SiC particles ranging from 1 to 5 wt.% in 1 wt.% steps. The effect of wt.% variation in nano-sized SiC particles on the mechanical, morphological, tribological and water absorption behaviour of AMOFHFC specimens was thoroughly investigated. According to the findings, the AMOFHFC specimen with 4 wt.% nano-sized SiC particles as filler material has the best mechanical, tribological and water absorption properties. The hardness, tensile, flexural and impact strength of the AMOFHFC specimen with 4 wt.% nano-sized SiC particles improved by 14.86%, 23.11%, 9.6% and 23.22% respectively compared to the composite specimen without SiC nanoparticles as filler material. Similarly, the AMOFHFC specimen with 4 wt.% nano-sized SiC particles exhibited a lesser weight loss of 96.7% compared to the composite specimen without SiC nanoparticles as filler material during the Pin-on-disk experimentation which showcases its superior tribological characteristics. Furthermore, SEM images of fractured tensile AMOFHFC specimens aided in understanding the bonding nature of the AMOFHFs, SiC nanoparticles and unsaturated polyester resin matrix in the composite specimens. The findings above led us to the conclusion that AMOFHFCs with acceptable hydrophobic nature are best suited for light weight automotive and structural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two types of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were studied, post-consumer HDPE (P.C. HDPE) and virgin HDPE (vHDPE), to observe how properties may change after a polymer has undergone additional thermal, environmental, and service histories. The difference between the virgin and P.C. HDPE was analyzed via rotational rheology as well as thermal and mechanical evaluations. Hemp hurd powder (HP) was then melt compounded with the P.C. and vHDPE polymers at 30 and 50 wt% to fabricate hemp plastic composites (HPCs). Finally, 3 wt% maleated HDPE was introduced as a compatibilizer to better ease stress transfer and particle distribution. All melt mixing operations were prepared using a melt kinetic mixer followed by injection molding. The P.C. HDPE had undergone severe cross-linking reactions, shown by a substantial increase in melt viscosity, which correlated to changes with weight average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution, obtained via rotation rheometry. The crosslinking-mediated increase in viscosity also led to an increase in tensile strength and notched izod impact strength. After compatibilizing, there were notable increases in all tensile and impact strengths while also displaying a decrease in apparent thermal conductivity due to a reduction in crystallinity. Finally, when scaling up a selected composite it was found that a twin screw extruder bestows enhanced properties, due to higher shear forces and better mixing when compared to a lab scale processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing customized drilling processes that minimize damage and improve overall performance in natural fiber composites relies on a thorough understanding of their drilling performance and potential damages. This study explores the variations in delamination and thrust force in a redmud-filled polyester composite reinforced with coconut sheath fibers. Employing a Taguchi factorial design, the experiment investigates the impact of drilling parameters, including drill diameter, spindle speed, and feed rate. The ANOVA analysis is employed to validate the experimental results. The findings indicate that increased feed rates and spindle speeds contribute to elevated thrust forces and delamination, influenced by the composite's inherent brittleness due to the addition of red mud. Among the drilling parameters, feed rate exerts the most significant influence on thrust force (ca. 30%), while the point angle has the greatest impact on delamination (ca. 60%). The analysis of drilled hole surfaces reveals matrix cracks, fiber extraction, and matrix smearing, underscoring the importance of optimizing drilling parameters, selecting appropriate tools, and implementing effective cooling methods to improve the overall surface finish and quality of drilled fiber composites. The research has the potential to aid in the development of strategies to minimize damages and enhance overall surface quality; ultimately, it contributes to advancing knowledge in materials science and engineering, with applications in the manufacturing and utilization of natural fiber composites across diverse industries.

Grewia Optiva fiber-based polymer composites were prepared with the addition of Marble dust (MD) in varying percentages by hand-layup technique. To understand the behavior of the material, a detailed physical, mechanical, and thermo-mechanical analysis of the samples was conducted. The findings reveal that the addition of MD to 10 wt. % helps in enhancing the interfacial bonding between the fiber and epoxy. Due to the high void fraction and poor surface interaction, further addition of MD restricts beneficial changes in the composite. The thermo-mechanical analysis (DMA) illustrates that adding marble dust powder results in a decrease in chain mobility, hence enhancing the storage modulus of all samples. Due to its maximum elastic and low viscous regions, the GM-2 (MD 10 wt. %) specimen exhibits the lowest level of energy dissipation. The research also focuses on the sliding wear behavior of the material, and a Taguchi design approach is also used for parametric analysis of wear response. In conclusion, the Grewia Optiva fiber polymer composite with (GM-2) 10 wt.% marble dust shows the best mechanical, thermo-mechanical, and sliding wear results due to its superior interfacial bonding and can be found suitable for fabrication of portable cabins.

The properties of organic fibre-based hybrid materials are influenced by a variety of factors and even minor changes in these variables can outcome in substantial discrepancies in strength. In this regard, the current study aims to optimise various influencing parameters such as weight percentage, alkaline treatment concentration, and fabrication parameters (compression moulding pressure, and temperature), with the goal of enhancing the overall strength of the composite. Calotropis gigantea-stem and Prosopis juliflora-bark fibres were used in varying weight percentages to create epoxy-based hybrid composites. After fabrication the mechanical characterisation like tensile, flexural, and impact properties of the composites were tested. Taguchi experimental design was applied, and the results were analysed using a hybrid Taguchi-grey relational investigation method. It was observed that a combination of 20 wt.% Calotropis gigantea/20 wt.% Prosopis juliflora/6 % NaOH pretreatment/100 °C temperature with 14 MPa pressure and had the most desirable mechanical properties in the fabricated composites. Calotropis gigantea ranks first in enhancing the composite strength, followed by Prosopis Juliflora, NaOH pretreatment%, compression moulding temperature and pressure. This work highlights the significant role of Calotropis gigantea and Prosopis Juliflora fibres in enhancing composite strength and provides valuable insights for future research in the field of hybrid composite development.

This research aims to study the effect of injection parameters on the mechanical properties of the developed green composites. Natural flax fibre and biodegradable polymer, polylactic acid was chosen to develop the green composites. The flax fibre was chemically treated using sodium hydroxide to fabricate the green composite by injection moulding. The injection parameters namely (i) injection pressure (bar), (ii) injection speed (mm/s), and (iii) injection temperature (°C) was considered to investigate their effect on the mechanical properties of developed polylactic acid/flax green composites. The mechanical properties, such as (a) tensile strength (TS), (b) tensile modulus (TM), (c) percentage elongation under tensile loading (PET), (d) flexural strength (FS), (e) flexural modulus (FM), (f) percentage elongation under flexural loading (PEF), (g) compressive strength (CS), and (h) shear strength (SS) was evaluated under different injection conditions. Furthermore, the morphology of the mechanically tested specimens was investigated using a scanning electron microscope. Grey relational analysis was performed to find the optimal injection condition. The optimum injection condition depicting superior mechanical properties was found at injection parameters combination of 90 bar (injection pressure), 60 mm/s (injection speed), and 165 °C (injection temperature). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This present study investigates the role of adding sugarcane bagasse biosilica (SBB) fine particle on Opuntia dillenii fibre (ODF)-reinforced epoxy resin composite and its mechanical, thermal and laminar shear strength properties. In this study, the biosilica particles were prepared from Indiana sugarcane bagasse via thermo-chemical process. The fibre and particles were silane surface-treated (SST) using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane via acid hydrolysis process. Hand layup was used to create the composites, which were then post-cured at 120 °C for 48 h. The composites were characterized using ASTM standards in order to evaluate the mechanical, thermal and laminar shear strength properties. The tensile strength of SST fibre and particle produced the highest strength of 178 MPa for 40 vol.% of fibre and 2 vol.% of particle in epoxy resin. Similarly, the SST fibre and particle retained high thermal stability than as-received fibre and particle in the composite. The laminar shear strength of SST fibre shows the highest value of 33 MPa against shear load. The SEM morphology shows highly adherence surface between SST fibre and resin. Thus, in the process of making biocomposites using plant-based fibres, the silane treatment is mandated in order to achieve high performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this age of globalisation, decreasing synthetic resources have exhilarated global communities to apply natural fibres as substitute materials for green technology development. The growth of products from lignocellulose fibre-reinforced composites has been a wide topic among material scientists and engineers due to their abundance, sustainability in nature, biodegradability, and availability at low cost. A series of natural/synthetic hybrid fibre-reinforced composites are prepared by reinforcing polyester resin as the matrix. Natural fibres such as sugar palm/kenaf/bamboo with fibreglass/Kevlar hybrid composite materials were used in this research to determine the mechanical and water absorption properties. The difference between the weight content of natural fibres which were 0 (control sample), 15, 45, and 60 wt% influenced their strength of mechanical properties. The Charpy impact and tensile test were performed following the ASTM D6110-10 and ASTM D3039, respectively. A water absorption test in accordance with ASTM D570-98 was also performed on three different natural fibre-reinforced hybrid composite materials to determine which composite had the best water resistance property. The results showed that hybrid fibre-reinforced composite for 45 wt% kenaf fibre possessed better tensile properties and 60 wt % sugar palm fibre performed better during the Charpy impact strength test compared to other natural/synthetic hybrid fibre-reinforced composites. It was concluded that sugar palm fibres demonstrated the best water resistance in this study.

It is vital to conduct research on the behaviour of natural fibre composites under cyclic loading in order to have confidence in the mechanical durability. During this study, the fabrication of composite laminates will be carried out by the hybridization effect of natural and synthetic fibres. Quantifying the impact that the SiC filler (10, 20, and 30 g) has when combined with the fibre reinforcement and epoxy matrix (275 g) under cyclic loading circumstances and determining the significant sequence of hybrid composites are the goals of this research. The results of the tensile mode were used to determine the input parameters, and based on the tensile strength of the hybrid composite, 70% of the tensile strength was fixed at 3 Hz frequency as the input for fatigue analysis. The life span was then determined for the hybrid composite. The results of this fatigue test showed that increasing the amount of SiC nanofillers produced a very high potential output for the fatigue test. As a result of increasing the amount of silicon carbide fillers from 10 to 30 g, sample S3 was able to significantly tolerate 65% more life. Failure mode can be identified from scanning electron microscope analysis revealing the major porosity, matrix crack, and laminate bonding strength that causes the failure during fatigue analysis.

Luffa cylindrica fibre and polystyrene are both wastes seen on farmland and in public waste streams, respectively, causing nuisance in the environment. This study was aimed at the preparation and characterization of composites produced from Luffa fibre reinforced with polystyrene resin. The prime objective of this study is to evaluate the morphological properties (using scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray), identify the functional groups (using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) present and elucidate the mechanical properties (using dynamic mechanical analysis and hardness tests) of the fibre and composites. The FTIR spectra revealed the presence of functional groups such as the hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, alkene and methylene groups, which indicate the presence of the Luffa fibre in the composite samples. SEM micrographs showed that better adhesion exists between the sample containing 20% Luffa fibre and at an increased magnification and further increasing the fibre concentration in the composite resulted in fibre pull out from over-saturation. EDX results showed that the composites were majorly composed of carbon (> 40%) and oxygen. The DMA experiments conducted at varying frequencies of 1.66, 2.50 and 5.00 Hz showed that incorporating Luffa fibre into the matrix reduced the loss modulus and damping peaks of the polymer matrix composite. However, the raw Luffa fibre was observed to contain the highest storage modulus, while the optimum fibre filler was found to lie between 20 and 30% of the Luffa fibre. It was also observed that the hardness value increased as the percentage of fibre in the composite increased and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemp is one of the strongest and most durable commercially available natural fibre. Its biodegradability, low density, high fibre length, availability, low weight-to-strength ratio and more yield per acre makes it an ideal fibre for marine applications. Water absorption behaviour of any material is very important which mainly limits their use specifically in marine applications. The present work aims to study the absorption of ocean water, its kinetics and effects on the flexural properties of hemp reinforced composites. Absorption effects for epoxy and unsaturated polyester (UPE) reinforced with short hemp fibre, unidirectional and bidirectional hemp fabric were investigated by immersing samples in ocean and distilled water. The absorption of all composites followed Fickian diffusion with slight deviation due to swelling of fibres and formation of microcracks. It is observed that the water uptake of samples increased with increasing weight fraction. The flexural strength and modulus of composites degraded by approximately 10% and 20% for epoxy and UPE composites respectively, due to water absorption. The results indicated that hemp fibre based composites could be used for many lightweight components in marine applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the mechanical characteristics of unidirectional bio-composite materials reinforced by two types of natural fibres (sisal and juncus) were studied in order to develop new materials. The effect of the fibres' extraction methods and their new assembly techniques on the mechanical properties of the elaborated composites was investigated. This is based on three methods of extracting natural fibres: the first uses water treatment alone over a long period, while the second uses alkaline chemical treatment with a sodium hydroxide solution. The last method uses the burial of plant leaves in moist soil. The obtained fibres are assembled according to techniques, such as monolinear fibres, twisting fibres into rope and braiding fibres into rope. The composite materials are produced manually using a pressure-contact moulding process. The outcomes demonstrated that the resulting compounds' mechanical properties are significantly impacted by the chemical treatment. The sisal/polyester composites exhibit better mechanical tensile test behaviour than those made with juncus fibres. Moreover, contrary to the results of some other studies, the recently developed techniques of assembling with a chemical treatment process enabled the reduction of the bio-composite's thickness as well as the cost of its preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current review context elaborates on the engineering methods adopted by the researchers for the development of different sustainable flexible composites for use as an alternative to leather like material. This article also elaborates on the usage of different natural fibre-based cellulose, bacterial cellulose, and different plant-based compounds for the construction of leather like lifestyle products with the examination report of essential physical properties of engineered products. Besides, it elucidates the process conditions followed by the researchers for making natural fibre based flexible composite products . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites have been extensively developed to construct fishing vessels. This study reports on the successful development of the Agel Leaf Fibre (ALF)- Epoxy composite reinforced with carbon powder and fabricated using the Vacuum Infusion method. Design/methodology/approach: The composites were prepared by varying the carbon powder filler content at volumes of 0%, 10%, and 30%. The fire resistance of the composites was investigated using a burning test according to ASTM D-3014 standards. The morphology of the composites was observed through SEM analysis and analysed using ImageJ software. Findings: The research findings reveal that adding 30% carbon powder in the HCP composite reduced the burning rate by 42.624 mm/sec and the time to ignition by 17.33 seconds, indicating improved fire resistance properties. The carbon powder inhibited flame propagation and reduced the combustion rate by 0.49%. The SEM examination confirmed that the fibre porosity decreased, resulting in a denser composite with enhanced fibre-matrix adhesion. Therefore, the implementation of fire-resistant composite materials in fishing vessel construction can be realised. Research limitations/implications: The present study primarily examined the immediate effects of carbon powder additions on the morphology of the composites. However, it is crucial to consider these composites' long-term stability and durability. Future research should investigate the ageing behaviour, considering environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and UV radiation, to assess their impact on the morphology and flammability resistance of the composites. Additionally, it is essential to acknowledge that other factors, including fibre orientation, fibre length, and matrix properties, can significantly influence the overall performance of the composites. Practical implications: The enhanced flammability resistance of Agel Leaf Fibre-Epoxy composites with carbon powder additions holds significant benefits for fishing boat applications. In marine environments, the risk of fire incidents on fishing boats is high, making materials with good fire resistance highly desirable. Therefore, implementing fire-resistant composite materials in fishing boat construction can be realised to reduce the risk of fire incidents in high-seas fishing vessels. Originality/value: Composites with added carbon powder exhibited smaller flames, slower burning rates, and a lack of significant flame propagation. This suggests that adding carbon powder acts as an oxygen barrier and reduces the availability of fuel within the composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and uncertainties in energy transition continue to increase the risk of environmental pollutions. The need fornew materials derivable from organic materials have opened several new frontiers in research and innovation. Polymer-based materials (PBMs), considering its versatility, have shown their potentials in engineering structures and, the results are promising andfar-reaching. PBMs possesses excellent thermal, mechanical and chemical properties, which necessitated significant research interest in these materials, resulting in their involvement in building and construction works. However, as their needs widened, spanning all human endeavours, it therefore important to establish how best these materials could be deplored in the face of climate change. Part of what is necessary as we explore these materials, is to report how best these materials could be applicable in building and construction works due to their low thermal conductivity’s values and their biodegradability properties. The application of natural fibres is noticeable everywhere with possibility of being used the more if containment measures are put in place to reduce its vulnerability. Thisreview paper x-rays the natural fibre materials as a reliable reinforcement in building structure and this assertion is premised on its peculiarities and thermal properties. As established in many published papers, natural fibre is of lower thermal conductivities values, compared with other materials in building reinforcements. This discussion would be all encompassing, providing details on how natural fibre could assist in energy conservation in building and equally saves considerable cost in construction works.

Utilizing locally available materials and labor in the construction and preservation of water infrastructure is considered an effective strategy toward progressing regional economic development and providing security of water supply in some less industrialized and remote regions. Current pipe manufacturing processes are highly advanced, with the implementation of these manufacturing technologies in remote and less-industrialized areas being difficult to achieve. Flax fiber-reinforced epoxy (FFRE) composite has substantial potential to be used for constructing or reinforcing various structural components, mainly due to a superior combination of stiffness, strength, low cost, and low weight of flax fiber when compared to other natural fibers. Two techniques were proposed to manufacture pipes using FFRE composite, namely, the manual fabric winding technique and the vacuum infusion method. The proposed manufacturing techniques, especially the manual fabric winding method, were shown to be simple to implement, and the processes can be replicated without the necessity for advanced manufacturing technologies.

Dragon fruit, also called pitaya or pitahaya, is in the family Cactaceae. It is found in two genera: 'Selenicereus' and 'Hylocereus'. The substantial growth in demand intensifies dragon fruit processing operations, and waste materials such as peels and seeds are generated in more significant quantities. The transformation of waste materials into value-added components needs greater focus since managing food waste is an important environmental concern. Two well-known varieties of dragon fruit are pitaya (Stenocereus) and pitahaya (Hylocereus), which are different in their sour and sweet tastes. The flesh of the dragon fruit constitutes about two-thirds (~65%) of the fruit, and the peel is approximately one-third (~22%). Dragon fruit peel is believed to be rich in pectin and dietary fibre. In this regard, extracting pectin from dragon fruit peel can be an innovative technology that minimises waste disposal and adds value to the peel. Dragon fruit are currently used in several applications, such as bioplastics, natural dyes and cosmetics. Further research is recommended for diverging its development in various areas and maturing the innovation of its usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of effective disposal methods for the increasing amount of textile waste that is being generated worldwide. This is creating environmental concerns and burdening waste management facilities. In this study, we propose that cotton fibres that have been recycled from textile waste could be used as fibre reinforcement in cement mortar. Seven mix designs were prepared, which were based on the quantity (0.4%, 0.8%, 1.6% and 2.0% by the weight of the cement) and length (20 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm) of the cotton fibres. The physical properties, including workability, compressive strength, flexural strength, density and water absorption, were investigated. The workability of the cement mortar was reduced with the addition of the cotton fibres. The flexural strength of the cement mortar with the added cotton fibres was improved by up to 9%, compared to the flexural strength of the control samples. The compressive strengths of the samples generally decreased with the increase in the fibre content and length. However, the C0.8 mix showed a comparable compressive strength to the control mix at all curing ages, with a slight decrease of 2.5% on day 56 of curing. The results were further clarified using SEM images. The improvement in the flexural properties showed that the cotton fibres could be implemented as fibre reinforcement in cementitious composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their inherent advantages, micro-sized horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) are preferred over vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) for urban applications. Typically, HAWTs on the market are constructed using steel, alloys, or fibre-reinforced composites, with the latter being the most economical and stable in comparison to steel and alloy-based HAWTs. Nevertheless, in light of the increased emphasis on cost savings and environmental sustainability, natural-fibre composites have become more desirable. This study focuses on the implementation of flax-fibre-reinforced HAWT wind blades designed for urban applications in particular. The proposed wind blades were designed using CATIA and their feasibility and performance were evaluated via numerical analyses in ANSYS. Structural, modal, and harmonic analyses were conducted under various loading conditions. The results indicate that flax-fibre-reinforced wind blades possess higher natural frequencies, greater stability, and lower deflection amplitudes at resonance frequencies than other materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fibres such as coir, jute, flax, and hemp have been considered for technical applications. These fibres, though with some desirable qualities such as low density and environmental compatibility, possess the common property of non-uniformity along their length and, as a result, variable diameter and variable cross-sectional area. Several other factors, such as gauge length, fibre species and origin, strain rate, method of extraction of the fibres, porosity and pore size distribution, have been identified to influence the tensile strength of natural fibres and limit their applications in composites. Besides, several authors have used different diameters for the same type of natural fibre, such as coir, resulting in significant inconsistency in the tensile properties. For the same type of coir fibre, and from tensile strength reports from ten authors, an average tensile strength of 120.97 ± 42.30 MPa was obtained. The average number of fibres used in most cases for the tensile test was less than the requirement for natural fibres. All these factors were addressed with the aim of improving the overall properties of natural fibres and their composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rattan fibre as a reinforcement material can be a promising candidate for fabricating mattresses that improves the bearing capacity and settlement reduction of sand. Apart from observing the potential of rattan mats in reinforcing the sand beds, an attempt is made to understand the role of apertures with varying dimensions in enhancing the load bearing performance of sand. A series of plate load tests were performed to study the effect of the depth of top layer reinforcement, width, aperture size of rattan mats and number of reinforcement layers. After comparing the test results of various aperture sized mats, openly woven rattan mats performed superior to closely woven mats. The incorporation of rattan mats under the most effective reinforcement configuration has enhanced the bearing strength improvement factor and settlement reduction factor to 7.1 and 0.85, respectively, for closely woven rattan mats and about 8.16 and 0.94 for openly woven rattan mats with optimum aperture sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-based miscanthus cementitious composites are potential promising sustainable building materials, however the organic matter and physical properties of miscanthus negatively influence their performances. In this study, physical milling treatment and heat treatments on miscanthus are investigated. Results show that the heat-treated miscanthus has a positive influence on compressive strength. The cavities of the parenchyma structure of miscanthus are easily filled with fresh mortar and tightly embedded in the mortar, resulting in the enhanced bonding interface. Besides, long fibre miscanthus (2–3 cm) has a better fibre-bridging effect than other forms of miscanthus, with an improvement in flexural strength of 24%. Physically treated miscanthus exhibits excellent heat-insulating performance, which is recommended for heat-insulating bio-mortar. The treated miscanthus significantly reduces the drying shrinkage, with a decrease of up to 25% at 90 days, compared to the untreated miscanthus. Schematic diagram of the bonding interface between miscanthus fibre and mortar. Effects of treated miscanthus on bio-based miscanthus mortar are investigated Physically treated miscanthus is recommended for heat-insulating bio-mortar Heat-treated miscanthus has a positive influence on compressive strength Treated miscanthus significantly reduces the drying shrinkage of bio-mortar [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofibres’ wide application in mortar enhancement has thus far been restricted by factors related to their chemical composition and hygroscopic nature. Their hydrophilic behaviour increases the water demand of mortar mixtures and diminishes their affinity to the matrix, while further moisture-related fibre degradation issues may arise. Additionally, natural fibres seem to be susceptible to degradation caused by exposure to alkaline environmental conditions such as those experienced by cement mortars, restricting their utilisation in the construction industry. Therefore, the current study investigates the potential of fibre modification through treatments that would permanently alter their structure and chemical composition to improve their performance. In this study, wood fibres of black pine and beech species were exposed to mild thermal treatment (140 °C 2 h, under a steam atmosphere), characterised in terms of the physical and chemical properties and incorporated in cement mortars, applying the proportion of 1.5% v/v in the mortar, in order to assess their performance as reinforcement material. The mortars’ workability (at a fresh state) was examined, as well as other physical, hygroscopic, thermal, and mechanical characteristics of the mortars at the ages of 28, 90 and 365 days and weathering performance, by subjecting them to different artificial ageing environments (freeze–thaw cycles or outdoor exposure). The results revealed the beneficial role of the treated fibres in dimensional stability, flexural strength, thermal insulation properties and capillary absorption of the mortar specimens, especially during the ageing process, with the black pine fibres showing the greatest improvement. The hydrothermally treated wood fibres seem to help maintain the integrity of cement mortars under all ageing conditions, proving that they could provide low-cost and eco-friendly mortar enhancement pathways.

This paper explores the evolution, development, and application of composite substances from conventional methodologies to their innovative uses throughout numerous sectors. Composite materials, known for their strength, versatility, and resilience, have seen substantial advances, especially with the incorporation of nanotechnologies and hybrid fiber reinforcements. By means of analyzing exclusive matrix substances, reinforcement sorts, and fabrication techniques, this study highlights the transition from traditional composites to advanced metallic matrix nanocomposites (MMNCS) and fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPS). Special interest is given to the demanding situations associated with manufacturing, together with uniform dispersion of nanoparticles and damage-free machining of fiber composites. Moreover, the paper discusses the environmental impact that specialize in sustainable options like natural fiber reinforcements. Through comprehensive critiques and case studies, this research objectives to offer a holistic information of the cutting-edge state and future potential of composite materials in improving industrial purposes even as addressing environmental concerns.

A novel high efficient filtration system for heavy metal ion adsorption from water bodies has been developed. It is a cost‐efficient filtration system that removes Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions effectively in an efficient manner. Aloe vera fibre that has been alkali‐treated and given a thiol functional is stuffed into a porous tube with a packing density of 0.2, and the porous tube is covered with polyacrylonitrile nanofibre. Functionalized aloe vera fibre and PAN nano fibres were characterized by various techniques such as X‐ray difractiomatry (XRD), Attenuated total reflection‐fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile tester and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the heavy metal ion removal efficiency of filtration system was examined by inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES). Inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the filtering system's ability to remove heavy metal ions. In order to conduct column adsorption tests, the initial metal ion concentration was varied. The breakthrough curves of the trials were then analysed. With the aid of Thomas adsorption isotherm and Yoon‐Nelson model, the adsorption mechanism of thiol functionalized aloe vera fibre was thoroughly investigated. The portable filter has the ability to continuously treat waste water, which is a useful function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass/Caryota urens hybridized fibre-reinforced nanoclay/SiC toughened epoxy hybrid composites were prepared and characterized for its mechanical, drop load impact toughness, hydrophobicity, and fatigue behaviour. The rapidly increasing demand in polymer matrix composites proportionally increasing the environmental pollution and now this factor is a prime concern for all researchers worldwide. Thus, this research study is aimed to prepare and investigate the natural fibre-based polymer matrix composites by keeping the environmental factors in consideration. Replacing the synthetic fibres completely by natural fibre also not a great development since, the natural fibres are inferior in useful properties. Thus, in this present investigation, a hybrid form of glass-Caryota urens fibre was introduce as primary reinforcement for nanoclay-SiC toughened epoxy resin matrix. The mechanical and drop load impact results revealed that the addition of nanoclay and SiC into the epoxy resin improved the toughness together with glass-Caryota urens hybrid fibre. Moreover the addition of nanoclay and Caryota urens fibre in epoxy resin matrix improved the fatigue life cycle up to 55,182 for 50% of ultimate tensile stress. The hydrophobicity of silane-treated reinforcements gives marginal loss in water absorption compared to bare epoxy resin. These properties improved hybrid fibre epoxy composites could be used in many engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fibres are less expensive than other types of fibre, the greatest replacement for synthetic fibre composites today is a natural fibre reinforced biodegradable composite. For uses in domestic goods, natural fibres like sisal, kenaf, plam, banana, jute, and coir have been employed as reinforcement in polymer composites. At the moment, research into composite materials is focused on employing natural fibres rather than synthetic ones. When used as reinforcing fibres in matrices, natural fibres made from yearly renewable resources have a positive impact on the environment in terms of final disposal and raw material use. Because of their low density, superior mechanical performance, universal availability, and disposability, natural fibres provide an alternative to technical reinforcing fibres. Chemically altering the fibre surface can strengthen the bond between the fibre and matrix. The fibre surface can be cleaned, chemically modified, and given a rougher finish through chemical treatment. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate surface analyses on fibre for before and after treatment. The banana fibre's stress-strain curve is identified. As a function of fibre diameter, test length, and testing speed, properties like initial modulus (YM), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and percentage elongation are assessed. The failure is caused by the pull-out of microfibrils along with the tearing of cell walls, according to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations of the broken surfaces of these fibres; the likelihood for fibre pull-out appears to diminish with increasing testing speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]