Hemp fiber in Hybrid composites:

Natural fiber-based thermoplastic composites are generally lower in strength performance compared to thermoset composites. However, they have the advantage of design flexibility and recycling possibilities. Hybridization with small amounts of synthetic fibers makes these natural fiber composites more suitable for technical applications such as automotive interior parts. Hemp fiber is one of the important lignocellulosic bast fiber and has been used as reinforcement for industrial applications. This study focused on the performance of injection-molded short hemp fiber and hemp/glass fiber hybrid composites. The main focus of this study will be development of hybrid composites by using hemp fiber made of thermal molding/pultrusion process. Thermal properties and resistance to water absorption properties of the hemp fiber composites were improved by hybridization with glass fibers. Hemp fiber is one of the inexpensive and readily available best natural fibers and hemp-fiber reinforced polymer composite products have gained considerable attraction for automotive interior products. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of the hemp fiber and hempglass hybrid reinforced thermoplastic composites to study their suitability in outdoor applications. The use of hemp fiber as mechanical reinforcement material for thermoplastic and thermo set composite has many advantages like; hemp composites are less expensive than dangerous fiberglass counterparts. Hemp composites could replace carbon and glass fibers, which have environmental and weight problems. Overall studies indicated that the short hemp/glass fiber hybrid polypropylene composites are promising candidates for structural applications where high stiffness and thermal resistance is required.