Oil-Based and Bio-Derived Thermoplastic Polymer Blends and Composites 253
Figure 8.9Trabant car, produced in 1958 in the German Democratic Republic with main parts made
of composites with natural fillers.Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trabant#/media/
File:Trabant_601_Mulhouse_FRA_001.JPG Used under CC BY 3.0, https://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
Table 8.11Mechanical properties of some natural fibres in comparison to
traditional fibres and polymers.
Density
(g cm−^3 )
Elongation
(%)
Tensile
strength (MPa)
Young’s
modulus (GPa)
Fibres
Cotton 1.5–1.6 7.0–8.0 278–800 5.5–12.6
Jute 1.3 1.5–1.8 393–773 26.5
Flax 1.5 2.7–3.2 345–1035 27.6
Hemps 1.5 1.6 690 70.0
Ramie 1.5 1.2–3.8 400–938 61.4–128.0
Sisal 1.5 2.0–2.5 511–635 9.4–22.0
Coir 1.2 30.0 175 4.0–6.0
Viscose (cord) 11.4 593 11.0
Soft wood (kraft) 1.5 1000 40.0
E-glass 2.5 2.5 2000–3500 70.0
S-glass 2.5 2.8 4570 86.0
Aramid (normal) 1.4 6–8 3000–3150 100–150
Carbon (standard) 1.8–2 1.4–1.8 4000 230.0–240.0
Polymers
ABS 1.05 10 55 2.8
Polycarbonate 1.22 100 62 2.3
(Continued)
