Natural fiber composite materials

Author: Lu Bo / Zhang Linwen / Zeng Jingcheng, etc.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: Based on the current research status of natural fiber composites and addressing its development needs, this book systematically introduces the origin of natural fiber composites, the raw materials used, forming processes, structural design, testing methods for raw materials and product performance, as well as the main application areas of natural fiber composites. It also provides an outlook on the development of natural fiber composites. This book is suitable for technical personnel engaged in scientific research and industrial production of natural fiber composites, as well as for teachers and students of composite materials and related disciplines in higher education institutions. [Preface] Currently, environmental materials have become a new research direction in the field of new materials. Among environmental materials, natural fibers play an increasingly important role. The research, development, and application of high-performance natural fibers and their composites have become a global research hotspot. The reason for this is that natural fibers have many outstanding advantages, such as abundant sources, low cost, renewability, biodegradability, and high specific performance. Natural fiber composite materials (natural fiber reinforced plastics,NFRP) are a new type of material formed by combining natural fibers (such as hemp fibers, wood fibers, etc.) with thermoplastic or thermosetting resin matrices. Natural fiber composites are a gem in the field of composite materials. Compared to glass fiber reinforced composites, they offer advantages such as low density, good sound insulation, high specific performance, recyclability, low cost, and good human affinity. They are widely used in the automotive industry, construction industry, and daily consumer goods sectors. In the future, with the growing awareness of environmental protection, industries, especially those closely related to people's lives such as the construction and automotive industries, will particularly favor "green products." Therefore, as "green products," natural fiber composites will have significant development opportunities. Using modern composite processing techniques to combine natural fibers with resin matrices to form wood or fiberglass materials is the primary method for utilizing natural plant fibers. In fact, most plant fiber composites have relatively low performance, and only some high-performance plant fiber reinforced composites have industrial application value. Hemp fibers and bamboo fibers can be considered high-performance natural fibers due to their higher tensile strength compared to other natural fibers. China has extremely abundant resources of hemp fibers, with ramie and flax production accounting for a significant portion of the world's output, and jute and other fiber production also ranks among the world's top. However, natural fibers have long been used solely as raw materials for the textile industry, with their application limited to the textile sector. Developing natural fibers as reinforcement materials for composites can broaden their application scope, stimulate agricultural production of natural fibers, promote the adjustment of rural industrial structures, develop high-tech industries based on natural fibers, enhance the added value of agricultural and sideline products, and contribute positively to the development of material science in China. Based on the collection and review of a large number of domestic and international literature and data on natural fiber composites, as well as the research progress of the National "863" Project "Research on High-Performance Natural Fiber Composites and Their Applications" (2002AA334120), the authors compiled this book. The book mainly introduces the structure and performance of natural fibers, suitable resin matrices for natural fiber composites, forming processes of natural fiber composites, design and performance testing of natural fiber composites, and the applications of natural fiber composites. Chapter 1 was written by Lu Bo and Zeng Jingcheng, Chapter 2 by Zeng Jingcheng and Li Zaikang, Chapter 3 by Wang Xiumei and Du Zhihua, Chapter 4 by Gao Hongmei and Li Wenfang, Chapter 5 by Li Zaikang and Zhang Chang'an, Chapter 6 by Wang Chunqi and Li Weizhong, and Chapter 7 by Zhang Linwen and Yang Dexu. Professor Zhang Degong provided many valuable suggestions during the book's compilation. The entire book was reviewed and edited by Lu Bo, Zhang Linwen, and Zeng Jingcheng. During the book's compilation, experts from the Science and Technology Ministry's "863" High-Performance Structural Materials Theme Group and teachers Fu Dianxia and Zhu Yanping from the Theme Office provided guidance and assistance. Support and enthusiastic help were also received from President Xue Zhongmin and Senior Engineer Chen Chun of Beijing FRP Research and Design Institute, as well as strong support and assistance from the Chemical Industry Press' Materials Science and Engineering Publishing Center. The authors sincerely express their respect and heartfelt gratitude to the authors of the referenced literature and colleagues who provided assistance in the book's compilation. Due to the limited level and experience of the authors, there may be shortcomings or errors in the book. We sincerely invite industry experts and readers to point them out.