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Studies are presently ongoing to advance the development of bio-composite materials through the exploration of the potential use of reinforcements of natural origin in polymer matrixes. In this particular investigation, hybrid reinforced composite was formulated for automotive application by utilizing epoxy as the matrix and sisal fiber-paper particles as the reinforcements. The sisal fiber was extracted employing soil retting method, subjected to surface treatment, and combined with paper particles. Following preparation of the reinforcements, predetermined compositions (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 wt %) were mixed with epoxy resin before being poured into the moulds using hand layup process and were allow to cure. The study focused on the mechanical, wear, and water absorption properties, as well as the surface morphologies of the developed composites. The results of the study revealed that the optimal properties were achieved with the utilization of 9 wt. % and 12 wt. % sisal fiber-paper particles reinforced composite. Particulate paper was discovered to be a suitably surface compatibilizer in thermosets when used as fillers with fiber reinforcement. Thus, the epoxy based composite reinforced with hybrid sisal fiber-paper particles is suitable for automobile application in the fabrication of bumper and other epoxy based body parts.

Since the last two decades, the use of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites has garnered significant application considerations over the synthetic fiber reinforced composites due to their numerous advantages and unique properties. Likewise, epoxy resin has attracted the interest of many researchers for composite synthesis, basically because of its chemical stability, thermal and mechanical characteristics. Hence, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the influence of dombeya fiber and paper particulate on the physical and mechanical properties of dombeya fiber and paper particulate-reinforced polymer composites for structural applications. Dombeya fiber and paper particles are renewable and biodegradable materials, thereby making them environmentally friendly materials to replace synthetic materials. Hand lay-up technique was utilized to fabricate the hybrid-reinforced biocomposites after which they were subjected to mechanical, wear, density, and moisture absorption properties. The surface morphology of the fractured surface was also analyzed to investigate its microstructural features. It was discovered from the results that hybrid biocomposites demonstrated improved properties over the unreinforced composite, with composites from 9-wt% dombeya fiber-paper particles reinforced biocomposite exhibiting the most suitable properties with commensurate density with the unreinforced epoxy matrix. These obtained characteristics support the material as a suitable material for biomedical apparatus application such as orthopedic implants, surgical instruments, and bone fixation devices.

This research investigates the microstructural, mechanical, and physical properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix reinforced with coconut fiber (CF) and corn cob ash (CCA) as potential composite materials for shoe sole production. The reinforcement materials were treated and characterized before incorporation into the matrix phase (PVC). The composite samples had varying CF and CCA proportions within the range of 2–20 wt%. The results of the examinations carried out revealed that the presence of CF enhances the properties of the developed composites. Sample from 20 wt% coconut fiber-reinforced PVC had the optimum properties with ultimate tensile strength of 47.00 MPa, tensile modulus of 3.52 GPa, hardness of 81.00 HS, and wear index of 0.06 mg among all the samples produced while composites with 15 wt% CF–5 wt% CCA showed the best flexural strength of 48.60 MPa, flexural modulus of 3.77 GPa, and impact strength of 94.30 J/m2. Hence, high proportion of CF in both composites supports the use of coconut fiber as reinforcement in PVC for shoe sole application where high flexibility and good impact resistance are essential.