PROPERTIES OF SOME COMPOSITES MATERIALS REINFORCED WITH NATURAL FIBERS

Abstract

First of all, the paper presents some particular aspects of composite materials reinforced with natural fibers used in structural applications: classification, advantages, disadvantages, applications etc. The paper synthesizes the main mechanical test methods and the corresponding standards used for such composite materials. Then, the article focuses on the comparison of the mechanical properties of composite materials based on epoxy resin, reinforced either only with textile fibers (flax, jute) or in combination with fibers providing from the agricultural waste (corn cob) or with glass fibers. The comparison of the properties is made in terms of the mechanical properties measured in bending test (flexural strength, modulus of elasticity).