Biocomposites automotive applications

As an extension to the considerable amount of research undertaken on processing and properties of natural filler composites, in this last decade, a number of researchers have explored the concept of namral filler-reinforced PLA composites. An outstanding one is the project FAlR-CT-98-3919 (New ftmctional biopolymer-natural fiber composites from agriculture resources) by European Union, in which one of the key objectives was to manufacture demonstration parts on a pre-competitive level with the automotive industry as the main potential market. Within this project, Lanzillotta et al. [21] prepared biocomposites with flax fibers and PLA as the biopolymer matrix. The research focused on the idea of converting biocomposites into products for real automotive applications. 

In general, such agro-based materials are only used as feed for livestock and not as load bearing materials. Therefore, grass reinforced composites have an excellent potential to be used as fibers. There are plenty of grass resources. Elephant grass-based biocomposites are of interest for automotive applications. 

Suddell BC, Evans WJ (2005) Natural fibre composites in automotive applications. In Mohanty AK, Misra M, Drzal LT (eds) Natural fibres, biopolymers and biocomposites. CRC, Boca Raton, p 37... 

Suddell B C and Evans W J (2005), Natural fiber composites in automotive applications , in MohantyAK, MisraMandDrzal LT, Natural Fibers, Biopolymers, Biocomposites, Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press, 231-259. 

Sudddl, B.C., Evans, W.)., Mohanty, A.K., Misra, M., and Drzal, LT. (2005) Natural fiber composites in automotive applications, in Natural Fibers, Biopolymers and Biocomposites (eds A.K. Mohanty, M. Misra, and L.T. Drzal) Chapter 7, CRC Press, Boca Raton, EL. 

Cellulosic fiber reinforced polymeric composites find applications in many fields ranging from the construction industry to the automotive industry. The reinforcing efficiency of natural fiber is related to the namre of cellulose and its crystallinity. The main components of natural fibers are cellulose (a-cellulose), hemicelluloses, lignin, pectins, and waxes. For example, biopolymers or synthetic polymers reinforced with natural or biofibers (termed biocomposites) are a viable alternative to glass fiber composites. The term biocomposite is now being applied to a staggering range of materials derived wholly or in part from renewable biomass resources [23]. 

The demand for better fuel efficiency based on the strict governmental regulations on safety and emission has led to the wide application of composites and plastics in the automotive industry in the place of the traditionally used steels [32]. Thermoplastic materials reinforced with natural fibers have reported to have excellent mechanical properties, recycling properties, etc. [33-36]. Several natural and biorenewable fibers such as wheat, isora, soybean, kenaf, straw, jute, and sisal are used in the fiber/plastic composite industry, and the use of namral fibers as reinforcements for composite has attracted many industries [37, 38]. Compared to polymer resin, polymer biocomposites that are reinforced with natural fibers have many applications due to its ease of processing, comparatively lower cost, and excellent mechanical properties [39]. For more than a decade, European car manufacturers and suppliers have been using natural fiber-based composites with thermoplastic and thermoset matrices. These biocomposites and bionanocomposites... 

Of late many of the major car manufacturers now use biocomposites in various applications, e.g., door trim panels made of polyurethane (PU)-flax/sisal mat in Audi A2 midrange car jute-based door panels in Mercedes E-class polyester-cotton fibres in Trabant car under floor protection trim of Mercedes A class made from banana fibre-reinforced composites and the Mercedes S class automotive components made from different bio-fibre-reinforced composites. All these so-called biocomposites use natural fibres but the resin matrix is always an oil-derived synthetic material. 

Biocomposites have been the subject of international research since at least the mid-1990s and a number of practical applications are now emerging, including interior automotive components and housings for notebook computers [25]. Research conducted from the 1990s to the present has led to many new biobased products. 

Recently, fabrication of environmentally friendly automotive headHners (interior ceihng) and package trays was reported [27]. The materials used were biocomposites made of kenaf, PLA, and so on. The headHners and package trays were subjected to the qualifying tests necessary for the respective applications using standard test methods of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology. 

Nanocomposites are new materials made with nanosized fillers. These materials have a great potential for their applications in the automotive and aerospace industry as well as in construction, electrical applications and food packing. There is also a tremendous interest for using bionanoparticles like cellnlose microfibrils or whiskers to be applied in the new era of biocomposites. 

William et al. (2005) reviewed various techniques for characterization and trends in the field of nanocomposites. These are new materials made with fillers, which have nanosize and have a big potential for applications in the automotive and aerospace industiy as well as in construction, electrical applications and food packing. There is a tremendous interest for using bio-nanoparticles in the new era of biocomposites by using synthetic and natural fillers in polymer nanocomposites. Aranda et al. (1998) studied the microwave-assisted blending-intercalation of ion-conductor polymers into layered silicates. They prepared organo-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites derived from poly(ethylene oxide) and montmorillonite silicate. They observed that ionic conductivity was enhanced as compared to samples prepared by intercalation from solution. 

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