Review of the Compression Moulding of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Thermoset Composites: Material Processing and Characterisations.

Compression moulding is generally applied to thermoset-based polymer material composites (PMCs), which consist of a reinforcement phase embedded in a polymer matrix to strengthen the polymer. Thermoset compression-moulded composites have advantageous thermal and mechanical properties. Natural fibres are typically used in composites as a reinforcing material either as continuous (very long) or discontinuous (chopped) fibres. Interest in using natural fibres to make high-performance engineering products is increasing because their mechanical properties are better than those of synthetic fibres. The types of matrix, types of fibre, chemical treatment of fibre, orientation of fibre and processing parameters that reveal converging problems, which can be studied in future research, are still being investigated. This work intends to review current studies on material processing and characterisations in terms of the thermal and mechanical properties of thermoset composites reinforced with natural fibres by compression moulding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]