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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.