Natural Fiber CompositesNatural Fiber Composites(Hemp)(Hemp)

HistoryHistory

Plant based car in Plant based car in 19401940 Henry Ford Henry Ford

developed natural developed natural fiber-based materialfiber-based material

Hit car with axeHit car with axe

Today companies Today companies including Ford are including Ford are putting the concept putting the concept to useto use Ford Focus door Ford Focus door

trim paneltrim panel Under hood sound Under hood sound

dampenerdampener

Method of ProductionMethod of Production

General processGeneral process Hemp fibers Hemp fibers

cleanedcleaned HeatedHeated Strands of hemp Strands of hemp

are glued togetherare glued together Resin can be natural Resin can be natural

or syntheticor synthetic

AdvantagesAdvantages

LighterLighter 30% less than current materials 30% less than current materials

BiodegradableBiodegradable Low energy to manufactureLow energy to manufacture Excellent energy absorptionExcellent energy absorption Replace current plastics and even Replace current plastics and even

steelssteels Non-ToxicNon-Toxic

AdvantagesAdvantages

"Hemp fibers have higher strength-"Hemp fibers have higher strength-to-weight ratios than steel and can to-weight ratios than steel and can also be considerably cheaper to also be considerably cheaper to manufacture" - Alan Crosky manufacture" - Alan Crosky

Only traces of tetrahydrocannabinol Only traces of tetrahydrocannabinol

UsesUses

Car bodiesCar bodies Less weight = greater fuel economyLess weight = greater fuel economy

ToysToys LuggageLuggage Building materialBuilding material

FutureFuture

By 2010 the New Jersey consulting By 2010 the New Jersey consulting firm Kline & Company anticipates firm Kline & Company anticipates natural fibers to replace a fifth of the natural fibers to replace a fifth of the fiberglass in current U.S. car models. fiberglass in current U.S. car models.