Effect of physiochemical structure on energy absorption properties of plant fibers reinforced composites: Dielectric, thermal insulation, and sound absorption properties

In this research, the energy absorption properties: dielectric, thermal and acoustic properties, of PFRCs were evaluated via vector network analyzer, dielectric spectrometer, steady-state hot plate and acoustic impedance tube. It was demonstrated that PFRCs were beneficial for multi-functional applications, possessing lower dielectric constant and dielectric loss, lower thermal conductivity and higher sound absorption coefficient in comparison with man-made equivalents (carbon fiber and glass fiber reinforced composites). More specifically, the physiochemical structures of plant fibers (lumen, cell wall and crystalline structure) were correlated to analyze these energy absorption behaviors of PFRCs.