Durability natural fibers

Synthetic polymers have become extremely important as materials over the past 50 years and have replaced other materials because they possess high strength-to-weight ratios, easy processabiUty, and other desirable features. Used in appHcations previously dominated by metals, ceramics, and natural fibers, polymers make up much of the sales in the automotive, durables, and clothing markets. In these appHcations, polymers possess desired attributes, often at a much lower cost than the materials they replace. The emphasis in research has shifted from developing new synthetic macromolecules toward preparation of cost-effective multicomponent systems (ie, copolymers, polymer blends, and composites) rather than preparation of new and frequendy more expensive homopolymers. These multicomponent systems can be "tuned" to achieve the desired properties (within limits, of course) much easier than through the total synthesis of new macromolecules. 

Inhalation of certain durable natural mineral fibers of amphibole asbestos, such as amosite and crocido-lite, can lead to the development of inflammation, fibroproliferation, pulmonary neoplasms, and cancer of the serosal lining of the body cavities or mesothelioma. Administration of fibrous particles to laboratory animals has included, in addition to inhalation, intratracheal instillation and intracavitary implantation and instillation. Inhalation studies are difficult to conduct due to the problems associated with the generation and characterization of the fibers during all phases of the assay. 

D.J. Gardner and N.M. Stark. Understanding the durability of wood-plastic composites. In The Global Outlook for Natural Fiber and Wood Composites, Intertech, Portland, ME, New Orleans, LA, December 8-10, 2004. 

W. Woods. Efficacy of a unique fungicide in wood filled plastic. In Conference Proceedings of Durability in Wood Plastic Natural Fiber Composites 2006, Intertech, Portland, ME, San Antonio, TX, December 4-5, 2006. 

Jer-Dri. GSybion] Durable water tqtel-lents for synthetic and natural fibers. 

Jer-Dri. [Sybron] Durable water repd-lents for synth and natural fibers. 

PROPERTIES OF SPECIAL INTEREST Natural fibers with high strength and comphance, high energy absorption before failure, durable fibers with high luster, resistant to proteolysis. 

In 1950 s and 60 s when natural fiber materials were exhausted and synthetic polymers, invented to provide the fibers as substitute materials, had been adapted to clothings, durable and easy-care materials were essential factors for that purpose. 

Use of natural fibers is an research area that allows obtain materials for cotidiane applications, using more insistence materials and with outstanding properties and specially materials that are environmental friendly. Keratin is a natural protein which can be found in wool, hair, claws, horns or nails, and is the main component in birds feathers, represents from 5% to 7% of the body weight of chickens. Keratin is durable and resistant to organic solvents and chemically unreactive, which give benefits when is exposure to environmental conditions, thinking in industrial applications. 

Carpet Original floor coverings were durable rubber mats. Once the closed cars were developed, other materials were evaluated for use. Initially natural fiber matting was used, but as synthetic materials came onto the market, they replaced the natural materials. This started in the 1950s with tufted rayon [9]. Soon rayon was replaced by nylon, a particularly durable plastic that has remained the material of choice in modem automotive carpet systems. 

Gram H-E (1983) Durability of natural fibers in concrete. Swedish Research and Concrete Research Institute, Stockholm... 

Kumar et al. [83] studied the weathering properties of ethylene-propylene copolymer (EPC) matrix composites with three different reinforcement materials, namely, 3% NaOH-treated jute fibers, 17.5% NaOH-treated jute fibers and commercial microcrystalline cellulose powder, using maleated EPC as a compatibilizer. The samples were subjected to UV radiation at 60°C in air for 150 hours. Again, the neat polymer samples were more resistant to weathering than the composites. The samples reinforced with commercial microcrystalline cellulose were the most stable of the composites and those made with fibers treated with the lower concentration of NaOH were the most susceptible to photo-oxidation. It was concluded that optimizing the durability and mechanical properties of the natural fiber-reinforced composites was closely dependent on selecting the appropriate treatment for the fibers. 

A.P. Kumar, D. Depan and R.J. Singh, Durability of natural fiber-reinforced composites of ethylene-propylene copolymer under accelerated weathering and composting conditions. 7. Jhermoplast. Compos. Mater. 18, 489-508 (2005). 

Durability of Polymer Reinforced with Natural Fibers... 

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