A Review of Abaca Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: Different Modes of Preparation and Their Applications

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites have received increased attention due to their environmental friendliness and sustainability, aside from at par-if not betterproperty enhancement achieved through fiber reinforcement over mineral-based fillers. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review on the various methods of fiber-based polymer composites preparation as well as their applications, particularly focusing on abaca-reinforced hybrid materials. Among the natural fibers available in the market, abaca fiber has been a major contender in the development of natural fiber composites. It has a great potential to be a renewable fiber source for industrial and technological applications owing to its inherent high mechanical strength, durability, flexibility and long fiber length. Impacts of different treatment strategies of abaca-based composites preparation resulting in property enhancements over bare polymer counterparts and that of synthetic fibers are discussed. Being eco-friendly and naturally sustainable, abaca fiber-reinforced composites can also exhibit better strength without substantial weight gaincharacteristics that have been exploited in various commercial and technological uses. How these enhanced properties of the resulting composites had led in a wide range of applications such as in the automobile and construction industries and other fields had been included as well.

Renewed interest in biopolymer composites: incorporation of renewable, plant-sourced fibers

“…Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Costa Rica yield most South American leaf fibers, but Southeast Asian countries have captured a sizable portion of the leaf fiber trade in recent years. 42 Abaca and pineapple fiber production primarily occurs in the Philippines. 43,44 As discussed previously, it is advantageous for green composite production to use materials close to the manufacturing site, as natural fibers are expensive to ship (and shipping creates additional environmental impact through fossil fuel usage).…”

Preparation, Characteristics, and Application of Biopolymer Materials Reinforced with Lignocellulosic Fibres

“…The researchers found that the pretreatment increased the cellulose content of the fibres and also had a positive effect on their interfacial characteristics. The NaOH treatment was found to be more cost-effective and less time-consuming compared with other treatments, while also exhibiting superior thermal and mechanical properties [41,42].…”

RNA-Seq Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes Associated with High Fiber Quality in Abaca (Musa textilis Nee)

“…For example, there are now growing investigations into the possibility of using its fiber for aerospace and automobile industry applications [ 3 ]. In the car industry, composites reinforced with abaca fiber were found to exhibit better strength [ 4 ]. However, its hydrophilicity, which is attributed to numerous hydroxyl groups, imposes a drawback in these industries.…”