Research focusing on composite materials has been continuously growing since a few decades ago. Indeed, composite materials possess certain peculiar attributes which are superior to monolithic metals. Natural fibers, particularly those obtained from secondary fiber crops, are generally left as agricultural waste, and therefore manifesting a high potential to be adopted as reinforcements. On this basis, the utilization of such fibers matches well with the waste-to-wealth strategy while alleviating the negative impact on the environment. On the other hand, those natural fibers obtained from primary crops, such as flax, kenaf, and ramie, have remarkable mechanical strength, showing a very high potential to be used as reinforcement for composite materials. Therefore, a comprehensive exploration of natural fiber-reinforced composites is of the essence to developing high-performing green composite materials.
In a broad range of engineering sectors, fiber-reinforced composites have been commonly used for structural applications. Lightweight, high specific properties, and excellent corrosion resistance make composite materials the prior choice for engineering applications. Nonetheless, the majority of composite materials are dominated by synthetic fibers, primarily glass fiber. These fibers have rendered a negative impact on the environment and human health. Today, the ever-growing issues concerning environmental friendliness and human health have triggered the idea of incorporating natural fibers in composite materials. Apart from innumerable environmentally friendly characteristics, superior fatigue resistance, lightweight, and outstanding specific mechanical properties are other key factors making natural fibers garner the attention of researchers worldwide. Even though natural fibers exhibit several remarkable characteristics, they are not sustainable materials without shortcomings. From this standpoint, several methods, including the addition of fillers and coupling agents, chemical treatments, and hybridization, are often performed to optimize their performance. At the current stage, the exploration of composite materials based on a wide range of natural fibers is crucial to developing sustainable and promising green composite materials and reduce the reliance on synthetic fibers.
This Research Topic aims at gaining insight into the recent advances in natural fiber-reinforced composites to uncover the potential of such materials for engineering applications. In addition, it also focuses on the comprehensive characterization and optimization of novel natural fiber-reinforced composites, hybrid composites, bio-composites, and metal-composite laminates based on natural fibers. It is expected that the research studies focusing on novel composite materials could be a fascinating and valuable addition to the literature. Original research, review and mini-review articles are welcome to submit to this article collection.
The scope of this Research Topic includes, but is not limited to:
• Mechanical characterization
• Fracture mechanism
• Thermal analysis
• Dynamic mechanical properties
• Physical properties
• Rheological properties
• Fatigue life assessment
• Impact energy absorption
• Flame retardancy
• Hygrothermal aging and water absorption
• Chemical treatment and optimization
Keywords:
Fibre-reinforced composites, Natural fibres, Optimisation, Characterisation, Miscellaneous properties
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Research focusing on composite materials has been continuously growing since a few decades ago. Indeed, composite materials possess certain peculiar attributes which are superior to monolithic metals. Natural fibers, particularly those obtained from secondary fiber crops, are generally left as agricultural waste, and therefore manifesting a high potential to be adopted as reinforcements. On this basis, the utilization of such fibers matches well with the waste-to-wealth strategy while alleviating the negative impact on the environment. On the other hand, those natural fibers obtained from primary crops, such as flax, kenaf, and ramie, have remarkable mechanical strength, showing a very high potential to be used as reinforcement for composite materials. Therefore, a comprehensive exploration of natural fiber-reinforced composites is of the essence to developing high-performing green composite materials.
In a broad range of engineering sectors, fiber-reinforced composites have been commonly used for structural applications. Lightweight, high specific properties, and excellent corrosion resistance make composite materials the prior choice for engineering applications. Nonetheless, the majority of composite materials are dominated by synthetic fibers, primarily glass fiber. These fibers have rendered a negative impact on the environment and human health. Today, the ever-growing issues concerning environmental friendliness and human health have triggered the idea of incorporating natural fibers in composite materials. Apart from innumerable environmentally friendly characteristics, superior fatigue resistance, lightweight, and outstanding specific mechanical properties are other key factors making natural fibers garner the attention of researchers worldwide. Even though natural fibers exhibit several remarkable characteristics, they are not sustainable materials without shortcomings. From this standpoint, several methods, including the addition of fillers and coupling agents, chemical treatments, and hybridization, are often performed to optimize their performance. At the current stage, the exploration of composite materials based on a wide range of natural fibers is crucial to developing sustainable and promising green composite materials and reduce the reliance on synthetic fibers.
This Research Topic aims at gaining insight into the recent advances in natural fiber-reinforced composites to uncover the potential of such materials for engineering applications. In addition, it also focuses on the comprehensive characterization and optimization of novel natural fiber-reinforced composites, hybrid composites, bio-composites, and metal-composite laminates based on natural fibers. It is expected that the research studies focusing on novel composite materials could be a fascinating and valuable addition to the literature. Original research, review and mini-review articles are welcome to submit to this article collection.
The scope of this Research Topic includes, but is not limited to:
• Mechanical characterization
• Fracture mechanism
• Thermal analysis
• Dynamic mechanical properties
• Physical properties
• Rheological properties
• Fatigue life assessment
• Impact energy absorption
• Flame retardancy
• Hygrothermal aging and water absorption
• Chemical treatment and optimization
Keywords:
Fibre-reinforced composites, Natural fibres, Optimisation, Characterisation, Miscellaneous properties
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.