Statistical characterization of pultruded composites with natural fiber reinforcements - Part A: Fabrication

The objectives of this research are to demonstrate the feasibility of using the cost-effective pultrusion process to manufacture high quality polymeric composites using natural fiber reinforcements (NFR) and to quantify mechanical property variability for these composites. Natural fiber reinforcements offer value added properties such as the beneficial environmental impact of these renewable resources and the less abrasive nature of the fibers for reduced tool wear and less skin irritation for workers. These initial pultrusion experiments utilized hybrid reinforcement of E-glass with hemp yarn or woven fabric. Statistical methods prescribed in Mil-HDBK-17-1E have been used to analyze the material property data to quantify the variability in properties of these composites. © 2007 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.