Investing of mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites

Composite materials are widely used in a wide variety of engineering applications, such as automotive, aerospace, and civil engineering structures due to their high strength / weight ratios. Composites generally consist of at least two materials, the reinforcing element that provides mechanical performance and the matrix that serve as binding. Although synthetic fibers such as glass and carbon are generally preferred as reinforcement materials due to the high strength they provide in their production, the use of natural fiber reinforced composites has increased especially in the automotive sector in terms of environmental sensitivity and recycling. In this study, the mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites produced by hot pressing method were investigated. While woven jute and linen fabrics are used as reinforcement elements, polyamide, polyethylene film and non-woven polypropylene fabrics are chosen as matrix elements. Alkali treatment was applied to jute and linen fabrics in order to improve the surface properties. In the first attempt in which polyamide was used as a matrix, a successful production was not achieved due to the moisture-retaining structure of the polyamide. In the second trial, in which high density polyethylene film and non-woven polypropylene were chosen as the matrix material, the production was successful. The mechanical properties of the produced natural fiber reinforced composite were evaluated by tensile, three-point bending and impact tests.