This document discusses natural fiber composites made from hemp. It notes that Henry Ford developed a plant-based car made from hemp in 1940. Today, companies like Ford are using hemp composites for parts like door trim panels and under-the-hood sound dampeners. Hemp fibers are cleaned, heated, and glued together with natural or synthetic resins to form composites. Composites made from hemp are lighter, more energy efficient to produce, and can replace plastics and some metals in vehicles and other applications. By 2010, it was anticipated that natural fibers would replace 20% of the fiberglass used in US cars.

1. Natural Fiber CompositesNatural Fiber Composites
(Hemp)(Hemp)

2. HistoryHistory
 Plant based car inPlant based car in
19401940
 Henry Ford developedHenry Ford developed
natural fiber-basednatural fiber-based
materialmaterial
 Hit car with axeHit car with axe
 Today companiesToday companies
including Ford areincluding Ford are
putting the concept toputting the concept to
useuse
 Ford Focus door trimFord Focus door trim
panelpanel
 Under hood soundUnder hood sound
dampenerdampener

3. Method of ProductionMethod of Production
 General processGeneral process
 Hemp fibers cleanedHemp fibers cleaned
 HeatedHeated
 Strands of hemp areStrands of hemp are
glued togetherglued together
 Resin can be natural orResin can be natural or
syntheticsynthetic

4. AdvantagesAdvantages
 LighterLighter
 30% less than current materials30% less than current materials
 BiodegradableBiodegradable
 Low energy to manufactureLow energy to manufacture
 Excellent energy absorptionExcellent energy absorption
 Replace current plastics and even steelsReplace current plastics and even steels
 Non-ToxicNon-Toxic

5. AdvantagesAdvantages
 "Hemp fibers have higher strength-to-"Hemp fibers have higher strength-to-
weight ratios than steel and can also beweight ratios than steel and can also be
considerably cheaper to manufacture" -considerably cheaper to manufacture" -
Alan CroskyAlan Crosky
 Only traces of tetrahydrocannabinolOnly traces of tetrahydrocannabinol

6. UsesUses
 Car bodiesCar bodies
 Less weight = greater fuel economyLess weight = greater fuel economy
 ToysToys
 LuggageLuggage
 Building materialBuilding material

7. FutureFuture
 By 2010 the New Jersey consulting firmBy 2010 the New Jersey consulting firm
Kline & Company anticipates natural fibersKline & Company anticipates natural fibers
to replace a fifth of the fiberglass in currentto replace a fifth of the fiberglass in current
U.S. car models.U.S. car models.