K. M. Hess, W. V. Srubar III^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.3, pp. 175-182, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2015.634106

Abstract This article concerns the development and characterization of a protein-based alternative to traditional fiberreinforced polymer (FRP) composites used in construction. In this work, gelatin-based resins were prepared at various gelatin-to-water (g/w) ratios. The effects of g/w ratio and curing time on resin mechanical properties were investigated. Using gelatin resins with a 30% g/w ratio, (i) gelatin-flax and (ii) gelatin-fiberglass composites were fabricated, and their mechanical properties were characterized and compared to both (iii) epoxy-flax and (iv) epoxy-fiberglass composites. Fracture surface morphologies were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that gelatin-flax composites exhibit similar mechanical properties compared to the epoxy-fiberglass… More >

Nurul Hanan Taharuddin¹, Ridhwan Jumaidin^2,*, Muhd Ridzuan Mansor¹, Fahmi Asyadi Md Yusof³, Roziela Hanim Alamjuri^4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 131-145, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.021528

Abstract The strict environmental regulations to overcome the drawbacks of consumption and disposal of non-renewable synthetic materials have motivated this investigation. The physical, chemical, morphological, and thermal properties of Hylocereus Polyrhizus peel (HPP) powder obtained from the raw materials were examined in this study. The physical properties analyzes of Hylocereus Polyrhizus peel (HPP) powder discovered that the moisture content, density, and water holding capacity were 9.70%, 0.45 g/cm3 , and 98.60%, respectively. Meanwhile, the chemical composition analysis of Hylocereus Polyrhizus peel (HPP) powder revealed that the powder was significantly high in cellulose contents (34.35%) from other bio-peel wastes. The crystallinity index… More > Graphic Abstract

Fatima Zohra Elhilali, Hicham Fihri-Fassi^*

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.18, No.5, pp. 1285-1292, 2022, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2022.021803

Abstract In order to mitigate the risks stemming from the utilization of mineral and synthetic organic substances, consensus exists in the literature that additional efforts should be devoted to the identification of adequate equivalent natural (ecological) materials. This work presents the outcomes of a preliminary study where the physical, mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of natural fibers have been considered. Initially, areca, and materials such as Moroccan doum and jute are considered. As a case study, a brake pad based on natural fibers is critically assessed. More >

Noor K. Faheed^*, Qahtan A. Hamad, Jawad K. Oleiwi

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.7, pp. 1989-2013, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.017573

Abstract Natural fibers and their composites are the evolving movements in material science, and with that, the utmost use of plant-based fibers has become the focus of this research. Sisal and cotton natural fibers were used to construct a prosthetic socket as an attempt to substitute material currently available in the manufacturing of sockets. The vacuum bagging technique was adopted to produce a below-knee socket. The influence of different fiber layering sequences on the volumetric and mechanical characteristics was estimated experimentally and numerically. Mechanical tensile tests were used to assess laminated specimens, such as tensile strength, young modulus, and elongation percentage.… More >

Arunjunai Raj Mahendran^*, Günter Wuzella, Stefan Pichler, Herfried Lammer

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.6, pp. 1505-1516, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.017835

Abstract The objective of this work is to carry out the chemical treatment for the hemp fabrics in a closed vacuum system and to prepare bio-based composites using treated hemp fabrics. The change in surface tension of the treated fabrics was measured using contact angle measurement and the wetting behavior using a tensiometer. Bio-based composites were fabricated using bio-based epoxy resin and different chemically treated fabrics. The flexural strength and dynamic water absorption behavior of the composites were characterized. The acetylated fabrics showed very good wetting behavior, and the contact angle values were marginally low compared to other treatment techniques. The… More > Graphic Abstract

Ismail Shah^1,2, Jing Li^1,2,*, Shengyuan Yang¹, Yubo Zhang¹, Aftab Anwar^1,2

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.5, pp. 1307-1320, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.017513

Abstract Recently, addition of various natural fibers to high strength concrete has aroused great interest in the field of building materials. This is because natural fibers are much cheaper and locally available, as compare to synthetic fibers. Keeping in view, this current research conducted mainly focuses on the static properties of hybridized (sisal/coir), sisal and coir fiber-reinforced concrete. Two types of natural fibers sisal and coir were used in the experiment with different lengths of 10, 20 and 30 mm and various natural fiber concentrations of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% by mass of cement, to investigate the static properties of sisal… More > Graphic Abstract

Vignesh Sekar^1,*, Se Yong Eh Noum¹, Azma Putra², Sivakumar Sivanesan¹, Kok Chun Chin¹, Yi San Wong¹, Dg Hafizah Kassim³

Sound & Vibration, Vol.55, No.4, pp. 343-352, 2021, DOI:10.32604/sv.2021.014916

Abstract This paper presents the development and performance of micro-perforated panels (MPP) from natural fiber reinforced composites. The MPP is made of Polylactic Acid (PLA) reinforced with Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber (OPEFBF). The investigation was made by varying the fiber density, air gap, and perforation ratio to observe the effect on the Sound Absorption Coefficient (SAC) through the experiment in an impedance tube. It is found that the peak level of SAC is not affected, but the peak frequency shifts to lower frequency when the fiber density is increased. This phenomenon might be due to the presence of porosity… More >

Jorge Neto, Henrique Queiroz, Ricardo Aguiar, Rosemere Lima, Daniel Cavalcanti, Mariana Doina Banea^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.3, pp. 561-589, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.017434

Abstract Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites (NFRCs) have demonstrated great potential for many different applications in various industries due to their advantages compared to synthetic fiber-reinforced composites, such as low environmental impact and low cost. However, one of the drawbacks is that the NFRCs present relatively low mechanical properties and the absorption of humidity due to the hydrophilic characteristic of the natural fibre. One method to increase their performance is hybridization. Therefore, understanding the properties and potential of using multiple reinforcement’s materials to develop hybrid composites is of great interest. This paper provides an overview of the recent advances in hybrid… More > Graphic Abstract

N. S. B. Yusof^1,2, S. M. Sapuan^1,3,*, M. T. H. Sultan^1,4, M. Jawaid¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.8, No.6, pp. 647-660, 2020, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.08309

Abstract In this study, the best manufacturing process will be selected to build an automotive crash box using green oil palm natural fibre-reinforced polyurethane composite materials. This paper introduces an approach consist of technical aspects (T), the economic point of view (E) and availability (A), and it’s also called as TEA requirement. This approach was developed with the goal of assisting the design engineer in the selection of the best manufacturing process during the design phase at the criteria selection stage. In this study, the TEA requirement will integrate with the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to assist decision makers or manufacturing… More >

M. A. Shaharuzaman^1,2,3, S. M. Sapuan^1,4,*, M. R. Mansor^2,3, M. Y. M. Zuhri^1,4

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.8, No.5, pp. 549-563, 2020, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.08769

Abstract This paper presents the conceptual design stage in the product development process of a natural fiber composites of the side-door impact beam, which starts from idea generation to the selection of the best design concept. This paper also demonstrates the use of the integrated Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (Function-Oriented Search) (TRIZ (FOS)) and Biomimetics method, as well as the VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method. The aim of this study was to generate design concepts that were inspired by nature and to select the best design concept for the composite side-door impact beam. Subsequently, eight design concepts were… More >