Effect of nano-fillers on low-velocity impact properties of synthetic and natural fibre reinforced polymer composites- a review

ABSTRACT

Researchers and scientists have observed that due to the low impact characteristics of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites, it has limited use in different structural applications. However, natural fibres possess several superior properties that enable their application in other automotive and aerospace industries. Hybridisation is one of the techniques where the weakness of natural fibres can be overcome to enhance the impact energy absorption. The tolerance of different natural fibre-reinforced polymer composite materials at low-velocity impacts is quite poor and is still a limitation in various structural and industrial applications. According to earlier research, a good improvement in impact properties could be achieved with the small addition of different nano-fillers like nanotubes, nano-clays, nano-fibres, and nanoparticles. This review paper examines the impact characteristics of different polymer nanocomposites (both synthetic and natural) to implement in various structural applications. To have natural fibre reinforced polymer composites commercially viable, enhancement of strength and toughness is necessary. This review focused on the effect of the addition of nano-fillers on the improvement of strength and toughness of synthetic and natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites.

KEYWORDS:

• Polymer nano-composite
• impact resistance
• natural fibres
• drop weight impact test

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).