Mechanisms of thermal decomposition of natural fibre composites

This paper presents research pertaining to the thermal decomposition of natural fibre composites (NFC). The behaviour and damage profile of NFCs have been determined, and comprehensive mechanisms of thermal decomposition interpreted at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. The results show that the process of thermal decomposition of NFCs underwent complex processes from the initial light discolouration to blackening and in some cases blistering, and from the decomposition of polyester to fibres to delamination of lamina with the dictated influence of natural fibre and interface structure. Ignition was closely related to the Vf of NFCs. The damage profile of NFCs included a combust region, a char region, a degradation region and a region of virgin material. This paper concludes that the thermal decomposition of NFC is different from that of GFRP and hence its thermomechanical modelling will require the development of specific terms to account for the inclusion of natural fibres.