The use of natural fibres as reinforcements in composites has grown in importance in recent years. Natural Fibre Composites summarises the wealth of significant recent research in this area.

Chapters in part one introduce and explore the structure, properties, processing, and applications of natural fibre reinforcements, including those made from wood and cellulosic fibres. Part two describes and illustrates the processing of natural fibre composites. Chapters discuss ethical practices in the processing of green composites, manufacturing methods and compression and injection molding techniques for natural fibre composites, and thermoset matrix natural fibre-reinforced composites. Part three highlights and interprets the testing and properties of natural fibre composites including, non-destructive and high strain rate testing. The performance of natural fibre composites is examined under dynamic loading, the response of natural fibre composites to impact damage is appraised, and the response of natural fibre composites in a marine environment is assessed.

Natural Fibre Composites is a technical guide for professionals requiring an understanding of natural fibre composite materials. It offers reviews, applications and evaluations of the subject for researchers and engineers.

• Introduces and explores the structure, properties, processing, and applications of natural fibre reinforcements, including those made from wood and cellulosic fibres
• Highlights and interprets the testing and properties of natural fibre composites, including non-destructive and high strain rate testing
• Examines performance of natural fibre composites under dynamic loading, the response of natural fibre composites to impact damage, and the response of natural fibre composites in a marine environment

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- Woodhead Publishing Series in Composites Science and Engineering
- Part I: Natural fibre reinforcements
- Chapter 1: Wood fibres as reinforcements in natural fibre composites: structure, properties, processing and applications
- Abstract:
- 1.1 Introduction
- 1.2 Wood fibres: nature and behaviour
- 1.3 Modification of wood fibres for composites
- 1.4 Matrices (binders) of wood fibre composites
- 1.5 Process techniques of wood fibre composites
- 1.6 Properties of wood fibre composites
- 1.7 Applications of wood fibre composites
- 1.8 Future trends
- Chapter 2: Chemistry and structure of cellulosic fibres as reinforcements in natural fibre composites
- Abstract:
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Glucose monomer
- 2.3 Glucose biopolymerization
- 2.4 Cellulose structure
- 2.5 Chemical and solubility properties of cellulose
- 2.6 Sources of cellulose
- 2.7 Separation of cellulose
- 2.8 Purification of cellulose
- 2.9 Cellulose polymorphism
- 2.10 Chemical modification of cellulose
- 2.11 Preparation of nano-cellulose
- 2.12 Processing of cellulose
- 2.13 Applications of cellulose fibres
- 2.14 Conclusions
- 2.16 Appendix: abbreviations
- Chapter 3: Creating hierarchical structures in cellulosic fibre reinforced polymer composites for advanced performance
- Abstract:
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Creating hierarchical structures in (ligno)cellulosic fibre reinforced composite materials
- 3.3 Surface microfibrillation of (ligno)cellulosic fibres
- 3.4 Creating hierarchical structures in renewable composites by incorporating microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) into the matrix
- 3.5 Coating of (ligno)cellulosic fibres with bacterial cellulose
- 3.6 Conclusions and future trends
- 3.7 Acknowledgements
- Chapter 4: Recycled polymers in natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites
- Abstract:
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Fibre reinforcements in recycled composites
- 4.3 Processes for adding natural fibre reinforcements to composites
- 4.4 Improving the mechanical properties of recycled composites using natural fibre reinforcements
- 4.5 Applications of recycled polymer composites with natural fibre reinforcements
- 4.6 Conclusions and future trends
- 4.8 Appendix: abbreviations
- Chapter 5: Electrospun cellulosic fibre-reinforced composite materials
- Abstract:
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 Electrospinning of non-derivatised and derivatised cellulosic fibres
- 5.3 Electrospun cellulosic fibres via polymer blends
- 5.4 Electrospun nanocomposite fibres
- 5.5 Mechanical properties of electrospun fibres and mats
- 5.6 Cellulose nanofibre-reinforced polymer composites
- 5.7 Future trends
- Part II: Processing of natural fibre composites
- Chapter 6: Ethical practices in the processing of green composites
- Abstract:
- 6.1 Introduction
- 6.2 Social impact and ethical practice
- 6.3 Case study: Waste for Life waste management model
- 6.4 Conclusions
- Chapter 7: Manufacturing methods for natural fibre composites
- Abstract:
- 7.1 Introduction
- 7.2 Fibre reinforcements
- 7.3 Reinforcement forms
- 7.4 Bio-based polymer matrices
- 7.5 Composites manufacturing processes
- 7.6 Key parameters for successful processing of natural fibre composites
- 7.7 Manufacturing techniques for natural fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites
- 7.8 Case studies: automotive, building and construction, and marine applications
- 7.9 Conclusions
- Chapter 8: Compression and injection molding techniques for natural fiber composites
- Abstract:
- 8.1 Introduction
- 8.2 Emerging compression and injection molding technologies in the production of natural fiber composites
- 8.3 Processing natural fiber composites at high temperatures
- 8.4 Conclusions
- Chapter 9: Thermoset matrix natural fibre-reinforced composites
- Abstract:
- 9.1 Introduction
- 9.2 Natural fibres used in thermoset matrix composites
- 9.3 Thermoset matrix types
- 9.4 Fabrication of thermoset matrix composites
- 9.5 Mechanical properties of synthetic resin composites
- 9.