Joining of natural fiber reinforced composites using microwave energy: Experimental and finite element study

The development of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites has received widespread attention due to their environment friendly characteristics over the synthetic fiber based polymer composites. Although, different categories of natural fiber reinforced composites have been developed, their joining has not been explored extensively. In the current article, natural fibers (nettle and grewia optiva) reinforced polylactic acid green composites and polypropylene based partially biodegradable composites have been developed. These composites have been joined with an innovative microwave heating process in the presence of suitable susceptor. Samples have also been joined with the well known adhesive bonding technique for comparison purposes. Joint strength has been evaluated in each case as per standard procedures and results showed that microwave joining provides higher joint strength as compared to adhesive bonding. Microwave heating process has also been simulated with standard multiphysics finite element (FE) software to analyze the microwave heating mechanism. The results of the experimental study are in close agreement with the finite element investigation. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.