Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research Vol. 74, February 2015, pp. 93-97 Development of Potential Composites through Natural Fiber Reinforcement V Chaudhary 1 , P P Gohil 2 * and A A Shaikh 3 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Changa - 388 421, Gujarat, India *2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, M S University of Baroda, Vadodara, Pin -390 001, Gujarat, India 3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, S.V. National Institute of Technology, Ichchhanath, Surat -395 007, Gujarat, India Received 29 October 2012; revised 14 November 2013; accepted 24 September 2014 Fibers are best suitable material as reinforcement, which increases properties of the emerging composite materials. The use of high strength fiber leads to new advanced composites which can be used for great strength applications. Yet, the use of medium and low strength fibers available in nature are also consuming sufficient potential for various applications where high strength is not critical but it can offer a practicable range of alternative materials to appropriate conventional material. The composite materials which are more environmentally friendly, energy efficient and recyclable have great potential market. The present work studies the various types of natural fiber available for the improvement of potential composites. The paper also discusses the methodology of the development of cotton-polyester composites using filament winding technology and hand layup method. Keywords: Composites, Natural fiber, Filament winding, Hand layup method, Cotton-Polyester Composites. Introduction Composites are materials that comprise of strong load carrying materials (known as reinforcement) embedded in weaker materials (known as matrix). This structure results in a material that increases specific performance properties. The components do not disband completely and as a result normally show an interface between one another. Both reinforcing and matrix keep their physical and chemical identities; however constituents make a combination of properties that cannot be attained with either of the constituent acting alone 1 . Natural Fiber Reinforcement: Classification and Countries of Origin India, gifted with a rich availability of various natural fibers listed in Fig. 1, has paid attention on the advancement of natural fiber composites mainly to discover value-added application opportunities. These natural fiber composites are companionable with wood replacements in the shelters and building sector. The growth of composites developed from various natural fibers in India is based on a bilateral strategy of avoiding reduction of forest resources in addition to ensure good financial revenues for the farming of natural fibers. Researchers and scientists are defining ways to get better qualities of composites so it may be tough, lightweight, long-standing, and cheap to produce. Natural fiber reinforcement is biodegradable and nonabrasive, unlike other man-made reinforcing fibers. Specific properties of some natural fibers are comparable to those of synthetic fibers used as reinforcements in composites 2-6 . Natural fibers can be classified based on agricultural resources (plant fibers) and based on resources derived from animals (animal fibers). The plant fibers can be divided into various classes which are shown in Fig. 1. All above mentioned types of natural fibers in Fig.1 are available. For example, sisal fibers are widely cultivated in Tanzania and Brazil. Sisal plants are also widely grown in humid countries of Africa, the West Indies and Far East 8 . China, India and Bangladesh are the major producers of jute. Now a day the worldwide production of natural fibers is around 25 million tons while in India it is 6 million tons per year 9 . Flax and hemp are largely being cultivated in Europe, Russia, Canada, Argentina and India. Kenaf is a crop grown commercially in the United States 10 . India is also producing 20% of world production of coir 11 . —————— *Author for correspondence E-mail: push4679@yahoo.com