Natural Matrix Based Polymer Composites

Natural Matrix Based Polymer Composites 489 Table 14.2 Cell and tissue applications of silk fibroin scaffolds [24]. 

One of the most important focus areas of research in the development of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites is characterisation of the fiber-matrix interface, since the interface alone can have a significant impact on the mechanical performance of the resulting composite materials, in terms of the strength and toughness. The properties of all heterogeneous materials are determined by component properties, composition, structure and interfacial interactions [62]. There have been a variety of methods used to characterize interfacial properties in natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites, however, the exact mechanism of the interaction between the natural fiber and the polymeric matrix has not been clearly studied on a fundamental level and is presently the major drawback for widespread utilization of such materials. The extent of interfacial adhesion in natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites utilizing PLA as the polymer matrix has been the subject of several recent investigations, hence the focus in this section will be on PLA-based natural fiber composites. 

Vegetable oil-modified biocomposites are broadly defined as composites of vegetable oil-based resins and synthetic fibres or of bio-based resins and natural fibres. The conventional vegetable oil-based composites mainly consist of a vegetable oil-based polymers matrix. This has been discussed in earlier chapters and the dispersed phase or reinforcing agents, which may be synthetic or natural fibres, are discussed here. 

It has also been found that moisture absorbance of the natural fibre-polymer composite can be prevented if the fibre-matrix adhesion is optimized [15, 24]. Indeed, whereas composites based on standard PP and cellulosic fibres displayed high water content at the interphase, due to the presence of microcavities, the encapsulation of the fibres with MAPP decreased the water sensitivity of the composites in terms of both the water uptake and its diffusion coefficient [25], as shown in Fig. 19.9. 

This is Volume 2 of Natural Rubber Materials and it covers natural rubber-based composites and nanocomposites in 27 chapters. It focuses on the different types of fillers, the filler matrix reinforcement mechanisms, manufacturing techniques, and applications of natural rubber-based composites and nanocomposites. The first 4 chapters deal with the present state of art and manufacturing methods of natural rubber materials. Two of these chapters explain the theory of reinforcement and the various reinforcing nanofillers in natural rubber. Chapters 5 to 19 detail the natural rubber composites and nanocomposites with various fillers sueh as siliea, glass fibre, metal oxides, carbon black, clay, POSS and natural fibres ete. Chapters 20-26 discuss the major characterisation techniques and the final ehapter covers the applications of natural rubber composites and nanoeomposites. By covering recent developments as well as the future uses of rubber, this volume will be a standard reference for scientists and researchers in the field of polymer chemistry for many years to come. 

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