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Article: Use of preimpregnated sisal yarn in woven reinforced polypropylene sheets: thermoformability and mechanical properties.
- Article from:
- Polymer Engineering and Science
- Article date:
- July 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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INTRODUCTION
Cellulosic natural fibers are being incorporated into polymeric matrices to reduce cost and to improve mechanical properties. This trend is being driven mainly by government regulations on waste dumping that promote the use of renewable and recyclable materials. Natural sisal, jute, flax, hemp, aspen, coconut, or banana fibers cannot match the mechanical properties of synthetic glass, carbon, or Kevlar in high performance applications. However, there are applications for which the mechanical requirements exceed the properties of the unfilled plastics and in which the use of synthetic fiber is not a cost-efficient alternative; then thermoplastics ...