Development of natural long fiber thermoplastic composites for automotive frontal beams

Abstract

Tradition of using natural fibers in automotive exterior and interior components are essential to recover eco-efficiency and renewability. Natural fibers have recently become sociable to automotive industry as an alternative reinforcement for synthetic glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics. Bumper beams are essential in protection of passengers, engine components during frontal collision. The use of steel, aluminum, glass mat thermoplastics (GMT), sheet metal components (SMC) as bumpers becomes higher cost, weight, than long fiber reinforced<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b>thermoplastics. The objective of the work is to develop a partially eco-friendly injection moulded hybrid long fiber reinforced thermoplastics with natural kenaf fiber by impregnation process to improve the desired mechanical properties, thermal properties and recycling of the automotive components. This hybrid composite results assured the better performance, weight reduction, economical compared to conventional bumper materials.