Characterization of natural fibers and their application in bone grafting substitutes.

In the last decades, researchers have developed new materials to improve the quality of human life. Owing to the frequent occurrence of bone fractures, it is important to develop plate materials for the fixation of fractured bones. These plate materials have to be lightweight, compatible with human tissues and ought to allow stiffness. Natural fibers have the advantage that they are renewable resources and have marketing appeal. The Asian markets have been supplying natural fibers for many years, e.g., sisal, banana and roselle are common reinforcement in India. In this research, the fabrication of plate material from powdered natural fibers like sisal (Agave sisalana), banana (Musa sapientum) and roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), with bio-epoxy resin Grade 3554A and Hardner 3554B, using moulding method, is described. The present work deals with the prediction of flexural rigidity of the NFRP composite which is compared with that obtained using the ANSYS solution. They are found to be in good agreement. In this work, microstructure is scanned by the scanning electron microscope. The objective of this research was to utilize the advantages offered by renewable resources for the development of biocomposite materials based on biopolymers and natural fibers. In the future, this plate material externally coated with calcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite (hybrid) composite can be used for inside fixation and also external fixation of fractured bones.