The usage of natural fiber reinforced hybrid composite materials as an alternative to automobile interior plastics

Material selection has recently started to play an important role in the engineering design of a successful sustainable product. Today, the purpose of turning unsustainable products into sustainable ones has emerged in many sectors. In this context, the importance given to natural fiber reinforced composite materials is rapidly increasing in terms of both application areas and unique properties. In this study, composite material was produced by using vacuum-supported resin transfer method (VARTM) with linen material reinforced epoxy matrix from natural fibers. Experimental studies were conducted to evaluate the application of natural fiber reinforced composite materials as an alternative to plastics used in the vehicle interior. The composites produced by using vacuum infusion method have been applied thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetric analysis, water absorption, hardness and impact test, and the basic mechanical properties and thermal stability of the materials have been determined. When the results were evaluated, it was found that adding glass fiber of different weights per square meter to the natural fiber significantly increased the properties of the composites.