Natural Fibre Polylactic Acid Composites: Properties and Applications

This text provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the properties, processing techniques, and applications of natural fibre-reinforced PLA composites, enabling them to develop sustainable and high-performance materials for a range of industries. It encompasses a wide range of topics within the field, spanning fundamentals, manufacturing processes and techniques, and applications.

• Covers types, characteristics, and sources of natural fibres.
• Delves into the unique properties of PLA as a matrix material and examines natural fibre-reinforced PLA biocomposites, hybrid biocomposites, and nanofiber-reinforced bionanocomposites.
• Explores various processes and techniques for fabricating natural fibre composites, emphasizing the influence of fibre-matrix interactions and surface modifications on the resulting properties.
• Discusses techniques for manufacturing components from these composites, including injection molding, extrusion, and 3D printing.
• Offers lifecycle assessments of natural-fibre reinforced PLA composites, evaluating their environmental impact and sustainability.
• Showcases a broad range of applications in industries such as automotive, construction, packaging, aviation, and consumer goods.

With its comprehensive coverage, scientific approach, and technical depth, this book serves as an invaluable resource for researchers, engineers, and practitioners seeking to advance their knowledge and expertise in the field of natural fibre-reinforced PLA composite materials.

S. M. Sapuan is Professor of Composite Materials at Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Vasi Uddin Siddiqui is currently working as Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia.

R. A. Ilyas is Deputy Director at the Centre for Advanced Composite Materials (CACM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.