Values of NFRC

Definition of Composites Materials

Composites are materials that comprise strong load carrying material (known as reinforcement) imbedded in weaker material (known as matrix). Reinforcement provides strength and rigidity, helping to support structural load. The matrix, or binder (organic or inorganic) maintains the position and orientation of the reinforcement. Significantly, constituents of the composites retain their individual, physical and chemical properties; yet together they produce a combination of qualities which individual constituents would be incapable of producing alone - Hull, D. and Clyne, T.W.1996.

Values of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites(NFRC)

Eco-Friendliness

Natural Fibers are renewable yearly plants that requires only 4~6 months to grow

Natural Fibers' Energy Consumption during production is less than 1/3 of Glass Fibers'

NFRC's are Compostable at end of product life

CO2 neutrality

NFRC's end of life incineration result in energy and carbon credits

No dermal and respiratory issues like Glass Fibers

Weight and Cost Benefits

Weight reduced by 12%~30%, resulting in higher specific strength

Costs of Natural Fibers are substantially lower then that of Glass Fibers

Glass Fibers production consumes 5~10 times non-renewable energy than Natural Fibers (from Solar energy)

Light weight to save fuel during use and transportation.

Processing Benefits

Natural Fibers are Non Abrasive, result in low wear on tooling

Natural Fibers have High Formality, which is good for deep molding

Reusable molding off-cuts during processing

Good acoustic and thermal insulating properties

Natural fiber is more flexible and less shortened/destroyed during recycle, this makes the recycled materials better quality

Natural Fibers' volume fractions (%) in composites are normally higher than Glass Fibers, therefore less synthetic polymers will be used