Materials selection of thermoplastic matrices for ‘green’ natural fibre composites for automotive anti-roll bar with particular emphasis on the environment

In this study, selection of thermoplastic polymers to be used in natural fibre-reinforced polymer composite is performed using Quality Function Deployment for Environment technique. The candidate materials for the matrix in composites are thermoplastic polyurethane, highdensity polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene and the selection process is carried out based on the design requirements of an automotive anti-roll bar. Requirements are collected through a study on the voice of customers and the voice of the environment. The approach is followed by sensitivity analysis using Expert Choice software based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process method. From the analysis, high-density polyethylene scored the highest (28.76%), and followed by thermoplastic polyurethane, which had 22.30% of the overall score. Finally, Young’s modulus of hemp fibre reinforced high-density polyethylene and thermoplastic polyurethane composites were compared, predicted using the Halpin-Tsai method. The results show that hemp-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composite shows higher Young’s modulus of 10.6 GPa, compared with hemp-reinforced high-density polyethylene composite (8.27 GPa). Based on these two analyses, thermoplastic polyurethane is selected as the most suitable polymer matrix for natural fibre composites for automotive anti-roll bar.