Ecodesign Enhancement of Polymeric Resins: Reinforcing with Synthetic and Natural Fibers Using Theory of Inventive...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Composite Materials

Background:

• Polymer resins are widely used but often require reinforcement to enhance mechanical properties.
• Synthetic and natural fibers offer potential for composite material development.
• Optimizing composite design is crucial for balancing performance, sustainability, and cost.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanical and thermal properties of polymer resins reinforced with glass, hemp, and jute fibers.
• To optimize composite design using the TRIZ-ARIZ methodology for improved performance and efficiency.
• To evaluate the potential of natural fiber composites in sustainable engineering applications.

Main Methods:

• Composite material preparation with synthetic (glass) and natural (hemp, jute) fibers.
• Mechanical testing including tensile strength evaluation.
• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for thermal stability assessment.
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for microstructural analysis.

Main Results:

• Jute fiber composites exhibited the highest tensile strength (up to 43.75 MPa).
• Partial reinforcement achieved mechanical performance comparable to complete reinforcement, reducing material use by up to 60%.
• Glass fiber composites showed superior thermal stability, while SEM indicated good fiber-matrix adhesion with defects impacting strength.

Conclusions:

• Natural fiber composites, especially jute, are viable for sustainable engineering.
• Localized reinforcement strategies offer high performance with reduced material consumption.
• TRIZ-ARIZ methodology aids in optimizing composite design for enhanced properties and economic efficiency.