The use of bio-based matrices together with natural fibers as reinforcement is a strategy for obtaining materials with competitive mechanical properties, costs, and environmental impacts. However, bio-based matrices, unknown by the industry, can be a market entry barrier. The use of bio-polyethylene, which has properties similar to polyethylene, can overcome that barrier. In this study, composites reinforced with abaca fibers used as reinforcement for bio-polyethylene and high density polyethylene are prepared and tensile tested. A micromechanics analysis is deployed to measure the contributions of the matrices and reinforcements and to measure the evolution of these contributions regarding AF content and matrix nature. The results show that the mechanical properties of the composites with bio-polyethylene as a matrix were slightly higher than those of the composites with polyethylene as a matrix. It was also found that the contribution of the fibers to the Young's moduli of the composites was susceptible to the percentage of reinforcement and the nature of the matrices. The results show that it is possible to obtain fully bio-based composites with mechanical properties similar to those of partially bio-based polyolefin or even some forms of glass fiber-reinforced polyolefin.
Keywords: biopolymers; intrinsic properties; micromechanics; natural fibers; stiffness.