Marine Applications of Natural Fibre-Reinforced Composites: A Manufacturing Case Study

The rising concern about environmental issues and the need to find a realistic alternative to glass or carbon-reinforced composites have led to an increased interest in polymer composites filled with natural-organic fibers, derived from renewable and biodegradable sources. The scope of this article is to raise awareness regarding the current scientific and technological knowledge on these so-called green composite materials in order to support their larger application in a number of industry sectors. The general state-of-the-art in terms of green composites is proposed, together with some experimental evidence on the mechanical properties of various ecological materials. As a practical demonstration of this sustainable technology, the adoption of green composites as a valid replacement for fiberglass in sailing applications is also described. This article will, in fact, illustrate, step by step and in great detail, the Wet Lay-up Hand Laminating process used, together with Vacuum Bagging, to realize a yacht deck hatch out of ecological composite materials.