Natural Fiber Based Composites II

<p>Over the last twenty years the use of cellulosic and lignocellulosic agricultural by-products for composite applications has been of great interest especially for reinforcing matrices. Fibers of renewable origin have many advantages. They are abundant and cheap have a reduced impact on the environment and are independent from fossil resources. Their ability to mechanically reinforce thermoplastic matrices is well known as is their natural heat insulation ability. The matrices can themselves be of renewable origin (e.g. proteins thermoplastic starch poly(lactic acid) polyhydroxyalkanoates etc.) thus contributing to the development of 100% bio-based composites with a controlled end of life.</p><p>This Special Issue <em>Natural Fiber Based Composites</em> provides an inventory of the latest research in the area of composites reinforced with natural and wood fibers focusing particularly on the preparation and molding processes of such materials (e.g. extrusion injection molding hot pressing 3D printing etc.) and their characterizations. It contains one review and ten research reports authored by researchers from three continents and eleven countries namely China Egypt France Germany Italy Malaysia Poland Russia Saudi Arabia Tunisia and Yemen.</p>