Author(s)

C.R. DA COSTA, A. RATTI & B. DEL CURTO

Abstract

This article is a comprehensive review on the mechanical and tribological behavior of four plant fibers (hemp, kenaf, coconut and broom) and the products design made based on these plant fibers. The treatments and the chemical and physical characteristics of these types of plant fibers are investigated to understand the applications in design field. The application of plant fibers are subject to many scientific and research projects, as well as many commercial projects. Data around these fibers are being collected and analyzed to arrange them and add new value for future applications. In most studies, natural fibers are used as replacement of traditional fibers in fiber-reinforced composites, or in automotive sector, geo textiles and other engineering fields. The research carried on is been organized so that mechanical and chemical–physical characteristics of these plant fibers can be used in conjunction with previous studies, to give a new scenario for design applications. In general, natural fibers have the advantages of biodegradability, low density, abundance and renewability, non-toxic nature, useful mechanical properties, and low cost. However, the main disadvantages of natural fibers are (i) the poor compatibility between fiber and matrix in composites and (ii) the relative high moisture sorption.

In addition, the project will improve opportunities for sustainable goods through the development of design, strategies of ecological sustainable products. Paper will outline a possible development of a product, which will be feasible gratefully to the direct application of the results and tests of the tools and methods made through out of the research.

Keywords

mechanical and chemical properties, product design, sustainability, vegetable fibers