Agro Waste-Based Epoxy Composites

Abstract

Epoxy has a wide range of industrial applications, owing to excellent chemical resistance, good environmental resistance, high stiffness, low shrinkage on curing and superior thermal stability. However, weak mechanical properties of epoxy matrix have limited its performance. Therefore, epoxy is reinforced with fiber to enhance mechanical properties. Development of natural fiber-reinforced composite using highly environmentally friendly agricultural (agro) waste fibers as reinforcements has received more attraction and is increasing nowadays. The incorporation of agro waste fibers into polymeric materials will not only improve mechanical and thermal properties, also diminish cost of materials and create a green composite. Therefore, this chapter discusses the possibility of employing agro wastes as reinforcing fibers in the epoxy matrix. This chapter draws attention to thermal and mechanical properties of some agro wastes-based epoxy materials.