Author(s)

Ioannis G. Raftoyiannis

Department of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece..

A research project has been carried out at the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, to develop composite panels reinforced with cotton fibers. The primary aim of the project is to examine the mechanical properties of such panels for use in secondary structural members such as wall or door systems. The use of natural fibers such as cotton, flax or sisal fibers has the primary advantage of being eco-friendly, low cost and low weight compared to glass fibers on the expense of lower structural properties. This paper presents results from experimental work on composite plates made from polyester resin reinforced with cotton fibers, with special attention given to the effect of the fiber type on the structural properties of the plates. The results from this study showed that the structural performance of cotton fiber composites is satisfactory for structural parts with low requirements, such as wall panels or doors. The present results for cotton fiber composites are also compared to testing results from previous studies on composites with flax/sisal fibers.

Biodegradable Composites; Cotton Fibers; Eco-Friendly Materials

I. Raftoyiannis, "Experimental Testing of Composite Panels Reinforced with Cotton Fibers," Open Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 2 No. 2, 2012, pp. 31-39. doi: 10.4236/ojcm.2012.22005.