A novel approach of manufacturing light-weight composites with polypropylene web and mechanically split cornhusk

A novel method has been developed to fabricate composites from mechanically split cornhusks (MSHs). This cost effective method will potentially open the door for a wide variety of agro-wastes in composites. The effect of holding temperature, MSH concentration, weight/area of web in between MSH layers, and MSH length on mechanical properties of composites has been investigated. The effect of MSH concentration on sound absorption has also been studied. Although the mechanical properties of MSH-PP are inferior to jute-PP composites, the former have 100% better sound absorption due to the presence of microair pockets in husks. At a substantially lower cost compared with other natural fibers, cornhusk presents an opportunity to reduce environmental pollution and to provide a higher profit margin to the farmers.