Lignocellulosic fiber reinforced composites: Progress, performance, properties, applications, and future perspectives

Abstract

Environmental awareness across the world has motivated researchers to focus their attention on the use of cellulosic fiber as reinforcement in polymer matrices.Lignocellulosic fibers are an abundantly available resource in all countries, which is cheap and easily renewable. Also, due to their properties, cellulosic plant fibers exhibit a great potential for use in polymer reinforcement. As a result, considerable research and development efforts have been directed towards the use of cellulosic fibers as a reinforcing material in composites. The use of cellulosic fiber reinforced composites has continuously increased during recent years, which benefits the cultivation of fiber plants and the economy of the country. This research area continues to be of interest to both industry and academia, the use of cellulosic fibers in composite applications being investigated throughout the world. Cellulosic fiber reinforced composites are reasonably strong, lightweight, harmless to human health and the environment, and biodegradable, hence they have the potential to be used in various applications. Recent progress in cellulosic fiber composites research has illustrated their great potential as structural components in automobiles, aerospace structures, construction, and building, and so forth. This study is an effort to create awareness about the research works that have been published in the field of natural fiber composites. This review briefly illustrates the main paths and results of major research published in the field of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. The topics covered include the aspects of fiber treatment to improve the mechanical properties of the composites, manufacturing methods, performance of hybrid composites, effect of laminate configuration, and many different applications of natural fiber composites.By presenting a systematic view of the work performed in this area so far, this review will hopefully serve as a starting point for the development of new ideas in the research on natural fiber polymer composites.

Natural Fillers as Potential Modifying Agents for Epoxy Composition: A Review

“…The need of utilizing green materials for a sustainable environment has caused an upsurge in the use of natural materials in the composite industry because the sustainability of the products during processing and end of life is important. Natural fillers are sustainable potential materials as reinforcing agents for different polymer matrices in varying applications such as automobile, construction, aerospace, toys, defense, sporting goods, and electronic applications [10]. The key objectives of natural filler in the composite industry were to reduce the cost as well as improve the processing, properties, and environmental friendliness.…”

“…The plant fibers can be obtained from bast (flax, hemp, and ramie), leaves The other advantages of natural fibers are their easy availability, easy manufacturing process, less energy consumption, renewability, and good mechanical properties. These advantages make natural fillers an alternative to traditional fillers in many applications such as construction and infrastructure, furniture, and rotor blade materials [10]. Based on their origin, natural fibers are plant-based, animal-based, and bacterial-based [12][13][14].…”

Polymer composites from natural fibers and recycled waste surgical masks during COVID‐19 pandemic

“…The melted PP under compression pressure enters into the warps and wefts of natural fiber to obtain worthy polymer‐fiber bonding through hot‐press followed by re‐shaping methodology (Figure 1 ). Table 1 shows the properties and parameters of sisal and hemp fibers as reported in Reference [ 29 ]. To develop composites the taken wt% of the materials are given in the Table 2 .…”

Evaluation of mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of corn husk modified pumice powder reinforced polyester composites

“…Even though the natural fibers exhibit inferior functional properties when compared to their synthetic counterparts, their utilization in polymer composites are growing steadily. [1][2][3][4] This could be ascribed to other useful properties of the natural fibers, mounting environmental consciousness among the people and the stern governmental regulations. [5][6][7] Several natural fibers such as hemp, [8] sisal, [9] pineapple leaf fiber, [10] babana, [11] kenaf, [12] flax, [13] coconut sheath, [14] sugar palm, [15] other natural fibers [16] have been extensively used as reinforcements in polymer composites targeting different applications in aerospace, automotive, and construction industries.…”