A detailed study on hybrid plant fibers for packaging applications

Abstract

Natural fibers are the most economic and usable fibers in upcoming generation of composite industries. They are valid in several applications of automotive sectors, structural field, and packaging industries. The present work is focussed on processing a hybrid plant fiber of vetiver and maize that can be used for packaging industries. The hybrid fiber is processed through Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) method. The obtained fiber is a biocomposite material of plant fiber and bio resin of epoxodized soya bean oil. The material is tested for mechanical, thermal and morphology properties and it can be summarized that these novel hybrid fibers are good looking and have appreciable properties that can be used for packaging applications. These materials are green and less harm to environment compared to synthetic fibers.