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Bio-composites: Eco-friendly Substitute of Glass Fiber Composites

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Handbook of Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications

Abstract

The biodegradable composites are gaining more attention due to the growing environmental concerns. This term is specifically employed in the biodegradable plastics reinforced with natural fibers. The conventionally used synthetic fibers and polymeric resins are nonbiodegradable, and their recycling is uneconomical. Contrary to this, the natural fibers are a renewable source, with worldwide availability and low price. Both the biopolymers and natural fibers are biodegradable and therefore easily decomposed without spoiling the environment. This chapter provides a brief introduction of bio-composites and their various application areas. The constituents of bio-composite, i.e., natural fibers and biodegradable polymers, along with their classifications and properties are discussed in detail. Owing to the hydrophilic property of natural fibers, there are certain limitations of bio-composites. These limitations and their remedies have been deliberated in depth. The mechanical performance of bio-composites from published literature with different polymers and reinforcements is also conversed. The chapter concludes that the bio-composites have the potential to replace glass fiber composites in various applications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Textile Composite Materials Research Group, National Center for Composite Materials, National Textile University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Khubab Shaker, Yasir Nawab & Madeha Jabbar

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  1. Khubab Shaker
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  2. Yasir Nawab
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  3. Madeha Jabbar
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Correspondence to Khubab Shaker .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico

    Oxana Vasilievna Kharissova

  2. Instituto de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico

    Leticia Myriam Torres Martínez

  3. Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico

    Boris Ildusovich Kharisov

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Shaker, K., Nawab, Y., Jabbar, M. (2020). Bio-composites: Eco-friendly Substitute of Glass Fiber Composites. In: Kharissova, O., Martínez, L., Kharisov, B. (eds) Handbook of Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11155-7_108-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11155-7_108-1

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