Natural-fibre-mat-reinforced thermoplastics (NMTs) based on flax fibres and a polypropylene (PP) matrix were manufactured using a film-stacking method. The influence of fibre content on stiffness and strength is reported and compared with data for glass-matreinforced-thermoplastics (GMTs), including the influence of improved fibre/matrix adhesion as a result of the use of maleic-anhydride grafted PP. Additionally, unidirectional and random-flax-mat composites based on epoxy resin were manufactured as reference materials. Results indicated that NMTs are of interest for low cost engineering applications, especially when a high stiffness per unit weight is desirable.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Heijenrath et al. (1996) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched one closely related paper. Consider it for comparative context: