People use hemp composites for a wide range of applications. Although this is a technical subject, we hope to make it easy to understand.
The material is strong and sturdy and works to create a super reinforced product. Once created, people can use it for many different things.
Often, people use hemp composites as building materials or as reinforcements.
These days, natural fibers are replacing toxic fibers as we move towards a more healthy and sustainable future.
Environmental focus continues to grow across all industries including the automotive and mechanical industries. Hemp can serve in many different industries well.
What are hemp composites?
Composites are materials that have many parts that are used in construction. So hemp composites are materials that have hemp as one of their ingredients.
These composites use fibers from the hemp stalk. These fibers are long and strong, which makes them great for a number of applications.
The most common form of this eco-friendly composite is a material that replicates fiberglass. Hemp fibers can also replace cotton fibers in other kinds of composites.
Furthermore, companies can get hemp cheaply and ethically. That makes it a great solution for keeping costs down and also using sustainable materials.
In recent years, the demand for sustainable composites has grown. Leaders in industries like automotive and construction are searching for better solutions.
Hemp provides a strong fiber that’s comparable to glass (used in fiberglass). It should only grow in popularity during the years to come.
How do manufacturers make hemp composite?
Hemp composites often look and feel like fiberglass. People make fiberglass with glass fibers (duh). They can lay the fibers out randomly, arrange them in a pattern, or weave them in fabric.
After they lay out the glass fibers, they spread a resin over the fibers. Once it hardens, the finished fiberglass piece is ready for use.
Manufacturers make this eco-friendly composite in just the same way. However, producers replace the glass fibers with hemp fibers. And they can also use a biodegradable epoxy instead of a polyester resin.
The hemp is processed to make the material into short fibers and then it is spun in a process called carding. This process uses two rollers spinning at different speeds.
One of the rollers is covered in tiny spikes, and there’s a small gap between the two. The bulk hemp fibers are sent through the machine and come out as a flat web on the other side.
At this point, the fibers are useable for composite materials.
What you get at the end are strong hemp composites that can form any shape. Plus, they are carbon negative and biodegradable. What’s better than that?
Workers can also blend the fibers with other materials to create a number of different composite types. They can then use these composites for applications in different industries.
Are there any benefits?
Of course, there are. There is a range of benefits to using hemp in composites. First of all, hemp is a cheap raw material. It grows quickly, uses little water, and provides more fiber than cotton per acre.
Also, the fibers are very strong. That means these composites can last a long time and perform the job well.
Another benefit is that using this material also cuts down on the time it takes to mold and set the composite. The material is easy to process and is fully customizable.
Not only is the material super strong but it’s easy to create. One more benefit is that hemp composites are lighter than their cotton counterparts.
One of the key features of using hemp in composites is that there is an unlimited supply of hemp available. Producers don’t have to worry if hemp fibers will suddenly run out tomorrow.
As well as being used in composites, hemp is used in a wide range of other purposes. Products that are made from hemp include rope, canvas, paper, bread, clothing, sheets and much more.
No matter the use, there are many things you can do with hemp. The industry is evolving and embracing sustainable and natural materials. Hemp is a part of this exciting new world of possibilities.
Want to learn more about this cool industrial material? Check out this scientific review or information at Titan Hemp.