Hybrid Cellulose-Glass Fiber Composites for Automotive Applications

Abstract

In the recent years, automakers have been striving to improve the carbon footprint of their vehicles. Sustainable composites, consisting of natural fibers, and/or recycled polymers have been developed as a way to increase the “green content” and reduce the weight of a vehicle. In addition, recent studies have found that the introduction of synthetic fibers to a traditional fiber composite such as glass filled plastics, producing a composite with multiple fillers (hybrid fibers), can result in superior mechanical properties. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of hybrid fibers on characterization and material properties of polyamide-6 (PA6)/polypropylene (PP) blends. Cellulose and glass fibers were used as fillers and the mechanical, water absorption, and morphological properties of composites were evaluated. The addition of hybrid fibers increased the stiffness (tensile and flexural modulus) of the composites. Glass fibers reduced composite water absorption while the addition of cellulose fibers resulted in higher composite stiffness. The mechanical properties of glass and cellulose filled PA6/PP composites were optimized at loading levels of 15 wt% glass and 10 wt% cellulose, respectively.

Hybrid Cellulose–Basalt Polypropylene Composites with Enhanced Compatibility: The Role of Coupling Agent

“…It is interesting to note that hybrid composites did not show any improvement compared to neat PP, once more confirming the important role played by a poor interfacial adhesion and the limited effectiveness of cellulose in improving the impact strength [ 1 ]. Only when the MA-g-PP was added did the increased interfacial adhesion allow the MCC/basalt (15/15) hybrid composites to enhance the impact strength by 13% in comparison with neat PP.…”

“…This is particularly true in the automotive sector, where their inherent properties, such as biodegradability, being lightweight and low-cost, and life-cycle superiority compared to synthetic fiber-reinforced composites, are well appreciated. Currently, plastics account for 10–12% of the total weight of a vehicle, and it is roughly calculated that 75% of fuel consumption is dictated by the vehicle’s weight [ 1 , 2 ]. A decrease of 10% in a vehicle’s weight is estimated to result in a 6–8% reduction in fuel consumption [ 1 ].…”

“…Currently, plastics account for 10–12% of the total weight of a vehicle, and it is roughly calculated that 75% of fuel consumption is dictated by the vehicle’s weight [ 1 , 2 ]. A decrease of 10% in a vehicle’s weight is estimated to result in a 6–8% reduction in fuel consumption [ 1 ]. These considerations, coupled with a stricter legislation, have triggered the wide acceptance of natural fiber composites in the automotive sector, mainly as nonstructural interior parts, such as indoor panels, dashboards, seat backs, headliners and storage bins.…”

Impact Strength and Water Uptake Behavior of Bleached Kraft Softwood-Reinforced PLA Composites as Alternative to PP-Based Materials

“…Besides, the water uptake behavior of PLA composites is in line with other natural fiber-reinforced PP composites [ 55 , 76 , 78 ], reinforcing the suitability of such materials to be a greener alternative. Some of these composites are actually in use in the automotive and industrial design industries [ 84 , 85 , 86 ].…”

Influence of Water Absorption on the Low Velocity Falling Weight Impact Damage Behaviour of Flax/Glass Reinforced Vinyl Ester Hybrid Composites

“…Similarly, the study conducted by Yongly et al [9] highlighted that by hybridising flax fibres with glass fibres could allow to obtain a composite lighter in weight, higher strength and modulus and greener than synthetic materials. Some recent works focused on the impact of the water absorption on the mechanical properties of hybrid composites [20][21][22]. However, there are not many reported works on the influence of flax/glass fibre hybridisation on the moisture absorption behaviour at different temperatures and their effects on the mechanical properties of natural fibre composites.…”