CHAPTER 8: Environmentally Friendly Coupling Agents for Natural Fibre Composites
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Published:31 Aug 2012
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Special Collection: 2012 ebook collection , ECCC Environmental eBooks 1968-2022 , 2011-2015 materials and nanoscience subject collectionSeries: Green Chemistry
R. Chollakup, W. Smitthipong, and P. Suwanruji, in Natural Polymers: Volume 1: Composites, ed. M. J. John, S. Thomas, M. J. John, and S. Thomas, The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2012, vol. 1, pp. 161-182.
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Natural fiber composites are a class of biocomposites consisting of bio-fibers reinforced with a synthetic matrix or a bio-based matrix. They offer a significant potential market in many fields, e.g. the construction industry, automotive industry, etc. Bio-fibers can be very short wood fibers from both deciduous and coniferous sources, straws from corn, from wheat and from rice crops, etc. From a commercial standpoint, the most viable structural fibers come from purpose-grown textile plants and some fruit trees. Most of the composite is heterogeneous, so that a coupling agent is necessary to enhance the interfacial interaction between the natural fiber and the polymer matrix. With the latest developments in technology, the concept of bio-based coupling agents becomes more important for a friendly environment. The first section of the chapter presents issues of a general point of view for natural fiber-reinforced composites in many systems. The second section is concerned with the theory of interfacial interactions between natural fibers and a polymer matrix. Then, finally, the third section explains why we use coupling agents in conventional examples and especially recent studies in bio-based examples.