Development and evaluation of zinc oxide-blended kenaf fiber biocomposite for automotive applications. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Yingji; Cai, Liping; Mei, Changtong; Lam, Su Shiung; Sonne, Christian; Shi, Sheldon Q.; Xia, Changlei
• Is Part Of: Materials today communications. Volume 24(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Automotive applications -- Natural fibers -- Mechanical properties -- Water resistance -- Energy consumption -- Life-cycle assessment (LCA); Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2020.101008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-4928

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Developing natural fiber-reinforced biocomposite (NFRBC) by blending zinc oxide. Comparable mechanical properties with glass-fiber sheet molding compound (GF-SMC). The energy consumption of composite fabrication was reduced by 9.2 %. The environmental burden of composite fabrication was reduced by 33.2 %. High potential of the newly developed NFRBC to replace the automotive GF-SMC. Abstract: There is an increasing environmental concern of using glass-fiber sheet molding compound (GF-SMC) in automobiles. Here, a zinc oxide (ZnO) blended natural fiber-reinforced biocomposite (NFRBC) was developed and evaluated to replace the commercial automotive GF-SMC (Meridian's SLI 323IF) due to its superior properties and environmental friendliness. The NFRBC consists of kenaf ( Hibiscus cannabinus ) fibers blended with ZnO nanoparticles to obtain a fiber-mat preform used to manufacture the final NFRBC using a vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process. Adding 12.4 % ZnO nanoparticles increased flexural strength (121 %), tensile strengths (38 %) and water resistance (76 %). The ZnO12.4 %-NFRBC had comparable mechanical properties as GF-SMC while the production consumed 9% less energy and reduced the environmental burden by 33 % from life-cycle assessment (LCA). Although the water-resistance of ZnO12.4 %-NFRBC was significantly improved, further adjustments are needed to fully meet the requirements for GF-SMC replacement.