Development of Sustainable Composites for Automotive Applications

Abstract:

This study focuses on the development of sustainable composite materials for automotivebody panels by utilizing sugarcane bagasse and bamboo fibers reinforced with epoxy resin. Theagricultural by-products were first sun-dried, mechanically processed into fine powder, andchemically treated to improve interfacial bonding before being incorporated into the epoxy matrix.Composite specimens were fabricated through a controlled lay-up process and tested for flexuralstrength and impact resistance in accordance with ASTM standards. Experimental results revealedthat sugarcane bagasse composites exhibited the highest flexural strength of 47 MPa, while bamboocomposites contributed greater ductility and flexibility under load. Notably, a hybrid formulation ofbagasse and bamboo fibers achieved the best balance of properties, recording an impact resistance of187 J/m, which is comparable to commonly used polymers. These findings highlight that naturalfiber-based composites not only offer mechanical performance suitable for exterior automotiveapplications but also provide significant advantages in terms of weight reduction, cost-effectiveness,and environmental sustainability.

• Periodical: Nano Hybrids and Composites (Volume 51)
• Pages: 25-31
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-00N0mZ
• Online since: May 2026
• Authors: Samarth Shetty, Harsh Pawar, Prashant Reddy, Rega Venkat Dhananjai, Divya Padmanabhan, Komal Kadam*
• Keywords: Bamboo Fiber, Composite, Epoxy Resin, Natural Fibers, Sugarcane Bagasse

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