6 Green Composites from Natural Resources
1.3.1 ClassifiCation of Green CoMPosites
Intense research efforts are currently focused on developing “green” composites
by combining (natural/bio) bers with suitable polymer matrices (Schneider and
Karmaker 1996; Singha and Thakur 2012). A variety of natural and synthetic poly-
mer matrix resins are available for green composites, including polythene, polypro-
pylene, polystyrene, polyester, epoxy, phenolic resins, starch, and polylactic acid
(Garlotta 2001; Ouajai and Shanks 2009b). Depending on the type of reinforcement
and polymer matrix, green composites can be divided into three main types:
1. Totally renewable composites, in which both the matrix and reinforcement
are from renewable resources ...