A Review on Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite and Its Applications

Natural fibers are getting attention from researchers and academician to utilize in polymer composites due to their ecofriendly nature and sustainability. The aim of this review article is to provide a comprehensive review of the foremost appropriate as well as widely used natural fiber reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs) and their applications. In addition, it presents summary of various surface treatments applied to natural fibers and their effect on NFPCs properties. The properties of NFPCs vary with fiber type and fiber source as well as fiber structure. The effects of various chemical treatments on the mechanical and thermal properties of natural fibers reinforcements thermosetting and thermoplastics composites were studied. A number of drawbacks of NFPCs like higher water absorption, inferior fire resistance, and lower mechanical properties limited its applications. Impacts of chemical treatment on the water absorption, tribology, viscoelastic behavior, relaxation behavior, energy absorption flames retardancy, and biodegradability properties of NFPCs were also highlighted. The applications of NFPCs in automobile and construction industry and other applications are demonstrated. It concluded that chemical treatment of the natural fiber improved adhesion between the fiber surface and the polymer matrix which ultimately enhanced physicomechanical and thermochemical properties of the NFPCs.

[1]  H. Hamada,et al.  Continuous Natural Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites by Fiber Surface Modification , 2013 .

[2]  B. F. Yousif,et al.  A review on the degradability of polymeric composites based on natural fibres , 2013 .

[3]  A. Perumal,et al.  Fiber surface treatment and its effect on mechanical and visco-elastic behaviour of banana/epoxy composite , 2013 .

[4]  M. Bousmina,et al.  Biodegradable polymers and their layered silicate nanocomposites: In greening the 21st century materials world , 2005 .

[5]  Paolo G. Mussone,et al.  Characterization of chemically and enzymatically treated hemp fibres using atomic force microscopy and spectroscopy , 2014 .

[6]  X. Xin,et al.  Friction properties of sisal fibre reinforced resin brake composites , 2007 .

[7]  Z. Zhong,et al.  A micromechanical model for the mechanical degradation of natural fiber reinforced composites induced by moisture absorption , 2015 .

[8]  V. Calado,et al.  Thermogravimetric behavior of natural fibers reinforced polymer composites—An overview , 2012 .

[9]  L. Boopathi,et al.  Investigation of physical, chemical and mechanical properties of raw and alkali treated Borassus fruit fiber , 2012 .

[10]  I. Low,et al.  Characterisation of the water absorption, mechanical and thermal properties of recycled cellulose fibre reinforced vinyl-ester eco-nanocomposites , 2012 .

[11]  Vijay Kumar Thakur,et al.  Processing and characterization of natural cellulose fibers/thermoset polymer composites. , 2014, Carbohydrate polymers.

[12]  Hao Wang,et al.  Chemical treatments on plant-based natural fibre reinforced polymer composites: An overview , 2012 .

[13]  A. Asiri,et al.  Mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of nanocomposites based on polyvinyl alcohol and cellulose nanofiber from aloe vera rind , 2014 .

[14]  G. Savage.  Development of penetration resistance in the survival cell of a Formula 1 racing car , 2010 .

[15]  M. Jawaid,et al.  Cellulosic/synthetic fibre reinforced polymer hybrid composites: A review , 2011 .

[16]  B. F. Yousif,et al.  Potential of kenaf fibres as reinforcement for tribological applications , 2009 .

[17]  Siew Hoong Shuit,et al.  OIL PALM BIOMASS AS A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOURCE: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY , 2009 .

[18]  I. Verpoest,et al.  The response of natural fibre composites to ballistic impact by fragment simulating projectiles , 2007 .

[19]  S. Panigrahi,et al.  Oil palm fiber (OPF) and its composites: A review , 2011 .

[20]  Lei Song,et al.  Combustion properties and thermal degradation behavior of polylactide with an effective intumescent flame retardant , 2009 .

[21]  E. Jayamani,et al.  Investigation of Fiber Surface Treatment on Mechanical, Acoustical and Thermal Properties of Betelnut Fiber Polyester Composites , 2014 .

[22]  Maya Jacob John,et al.  Biofibres and Biocomposites , 2008 .

[23]  T. Peijs,et al.  Multiwalled carbon nanotubes and sepiolite nanoclays as flame retardants for polylactide and its natural fibre reinforced composites , 2010 .

[24]  M. Ramesh,et al.  Processing and Mechanical Property Evaluation of Banana Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites , 2014 .

[25]  S. Ahmad,et al.  The Comparison of Water Absorption Analysis between Counterrotating and Corotating Twin-Screw Extruders with Different Antioxidants Content in Wood Plastic Composites , 2011 .

[26]  Rezaur Rahman,et al.  Comparative Study of Dielectric Properties of Hybrid Natural Fiber Composites , 2014 .

[27]  R. Illias,et al.  Optimization of pretreatments for the hydrolysis of oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber (EFBF) using enzyme mixtures , 2013 .

[28]  A. Błędzki,et al.  Possibilities for improving the mechanical properties of jute/epoxy composites by alkali treatment of fibres , 1999 .

[29]  A. Hidayat,et al.  Characterization of polylactic acid (PLA)/kenaf composite degradation by immobilized mycelia of Pleurotus ostreatus , 2012 .

[30]  Vincenzo Fiore,et al.  Effects of natural fibres reinforcement in lime plasters (kenaf and sisal vs. Polypropylene) , 2014 .

[31]  Paik San H'ng,et al.  Effects of fiber treatment on morphology, tensile and thermogravimetric analysis of oil palm empty fruit bunches fibers , 2013 .

[32]  Stefania Manzi,et al.  Novel sustainable hemp-based composites for application in the building industry: Physical, thermal and mechanical characterization , 2014 .

[33]  M. Skrifvars,et al.  Viscoelastic behaviour of novel commingled biocomposites based on polypropylene/jute yarns , 2012 .

[34]  B. Schartel,et al.  Mechanical, thermal, and fire behavior of bisphenol a polycarbonate/multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposites , 2008 .

[35]  J. Noda,et al.  Effects of fluctuation of fibre orientation on tensile properties of flax sliver-reinforced green composites , 2012 .

[36]  B. F. Yousif,et al.  Effect of betelnut fibres treatment and contact conditions on adhesive wear and frictional performance of polyester composites , 2010 .

[37]  T. Sen,et al.  Various Industrial Applications of Hemp , Kinaf , Flax and Ramie Natural Fibres , 2022 .

[38]  F. Vilaseca,et al.  Chemical modification of jute fibers for the production of green-composites. , 2007, Journal of hazardous materials.

[39]  Sabu Thomas,et al.  Effect of fibre surface modification on water-sorption characteristics of oil palm fibres , 2003 .

[40]  Ahmad Shukri Yahya,et al.  Performance of oil palm empty fruit bunch fibres coated with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene , 2011 .

[41]  A. Imad,et al.  Effect of Chemical treatment on Flexure Properties of Natural Fiber-reinforced Polyester Composite , 2011 .

[42]  B. Vijaya Ramnath,et al.  Evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties of banana-flax based natural fibre composite , 2014 .

[43]  Liping He,et al.  A method for determining reactive hydroxyl groups in natural fibers: application to ramie fiber and its modification. , 2012, Carbohydrate research.

[44]  Ignace Verpoest,et al.  Influence of processing and chemical treatment of flax fibres on their composites , 2001 .

[45]  A. Ashori,et al.  Investigation on the surface properties of chemically modified natural fibers using inverse gas chromatography , 2012 .

[46]  Hao Wang,et al.  A review on the tensile properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites , 2011 .

[47]  A. Mohanty,et al.  Surface modification of jute and its influence on performance of biodegradable jute-fabric/Biopol composites , 2000 .

[48]  A. Błędzki,et al.  Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibers: 2000–2010 , 2012 .

[49]  Paolo G. Mussone,et al.  Surface and thermal characterization of natural fibres treated with enzymes , 2014 .

[50]  Mizi Fan,et al.  Wood fibres as reinforcements in natural fibre composites: structure, properties, processing and applications , 2014 .

[51]  Sabu Thomas,et al.  Stress relaxation behaviour in oil palm fibres , 2001 .

[52]  Benjamin M. Wood,et al.  Natural fibre composite energy absorption structures , 2012 .

[53]  R. Bouhfid,et al.  Mechanical and thermal properties of natural fibers reinforced polymer composites: Doum/low density polyethylene , 2013 .

[54]  Sabu Thomas,et al.  A REVIEW ON SISAL FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES , 1999 .

[55]  Bo Madsen,et al.  Mechanical processing of bast fibres: The occurrence of damage and its effect on fibre structure , 2012 .

[56]  J. Lim,et al.  Effects of diammonium phosphate on the flammability and mechanical properties of bio-composites , 2011 .

[57]  Sabu Thomas,et al.  Effect of surface treatments on the electrical properties of low-density polyethylene composites reinforced with short sisal fibers , 1997 .

[58]  S. Panigrahi,et al.  Towards industrial utilization of oil palm fibre: Physical and dielectric characterization of linear low density polyethylene composites and comparison with other fibre sources , 2010 .

[59]  K. Pickering.  Properties and performance of natural-fibre composites , 2008 .

[60]  H. Ismail,et al.  Maleated natural rubber as a coupling agent for paper sludge filled natural rubber composites , 2005 .

[61]  D. Acierno,et al.  Tailoring the flame retardant and mechanical performances of natural fiber-reinforced biopolymer by multi-component laminate , 2013 .

[62]  G. Marosi,et al.  Flax fibre reinforced PLA/TPS biocomposites flame retarded with multifunctional additive system , 2014 .

[63]  T. Aravinthan,et al.  A review of current development in natural fiber composites for structural and infrastructure applications , 2010 .

[64]  Fernando G. Torres,et al.  Study of the interfacial properties of natural fibre reinforced polyethylene , 2005 .

[65]  Navin Chand,et al.  Graphite modified cotton fibre reinforced polyester composites under sliding wear conditions , 2007 .

[66]  Nemkumar Banthia,et al.  Influence of Polypropylene Fiber Geometry on Plastic Shrinkage Cracking in Concrete , 2006 .

[67]  M. Mariatti,et al.  Properties of Banana and Pandanus Woven Fabric Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites , 2008 .

[68]  Arun Gupta,et al.  Fabrication of medium density fibreboard from enzyme treated rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis) fibre and modified organosolv lignin , 2013 .

[69]  Denise Cristina de Oliveira Nascimento,et al.  Selection of high strength natural fibers , 2010 .

[70]  A. Herrmann,et al.  Natural and man-made cellulose fibre-reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites: An overview about mechanical characteristics and application areas , 2009 .

[71]  Laurent Ferry,et al.  Mechanical and physical properties of expanded starch, reinforced by natural fibres , 2012 .

[72]  Richard P. Wool,et al.  Natural fiber composites with plant oil-based resin , 2004 .

[73]  H. Bos,et al.  The potential of flax fibres as reinforcement for composite materials , 2004 .

[74]  B. F. Yousif,et al.  Tribological studies of polyester reinforced with CSM 450-R-glass fiber sliding against smooth stainless steel counterface , 2006 .

[75]  J. Benezet,et al.  Rice and Einkorn wheat husks reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites: Effects of alkaline and silane surface treatments of husks , 2014 .

[76]  Y. Wan,et al.  Mechanical and thermo-mechanical behaviors of sizing-treated corn fiber/polylactide composites , 2014 .

[77]  Z. Ishak,et al.  Oil palm wood flour reinforced epoxidized natural rubber composites: The effect of filler content and size , 1997 .

[78]  Balbir Singh Kaith,et al.  Cellulose Fibers: Bio- and Nano-Polymer Composites , 2011 .

[79]  J. Madaan,et al.  Tribological behavior of natural fiber reinforced PLA composites , 2013 .

[80]  M. Sain,et al.  Flame retardant and mechanical properties of natural fibre–PP composites containing magnesium hydroxide , 2004 .

[81]  M. Cran,et al.  Effect of kenaf fibre loading and thymol concentration on the mechanical and thermal properties of PLA/kenaf/thymol composites , 2014 .

[82]  B. F. Yousif,et al.  In State of Art: Mechanical and tribological behaviour of polymeric composites based on natural fibres , 2013 .

[83]  J. Bonnet,et al.  Influence of various chemical treatments on the composition and structure of hemp fibres , 2008 .

[84]  V. Fiore,et al.  Characterization of a new natural fiber from Arundo donax L. as potential reinforcement of polymer composites. , 2014, Carbohydrate polymers.

[85]  Sabu Thomas,et al.  Effect of chemical modification on properties of hybrid fiber biocomposites , 2008 .

[86]  Amiya R Mohanty,et al.  Acoustical and fire-retardant properties of jute composite materials , 2011 .

[87]  D. Rodrigue,et al.  Mechanical, rheological, morphological and water absorption properties of maleated polyethylene/hemp composites: Effect of ground tire rubber addition , 2013 .

[88]  D. Ahmad,et al.  Concept selection of car bumper beam with developed hybrid bio-composite material , 2011 .

[89]  Vasudev D. Shinde,et al.  Review on natural fiber reinforcement polymer composites , 2014 .

[90]  N. Ibrahim,et al.  Impact Strength and Flexural Properties Enhancement of Methacrylate Silane Treated Oil Palm Mesocarp Fiber Reinforced Biodegradable Hybrid Composites , 2014, TheScientificWorldJournal.

[91]  Jim Holbery,et al.  Natural-fiber-reinforced polymer composites in automotive applications , 2006 .

[92]  Azman Hassan,et al.  Effect of Chemical Treatment on Physical, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Ladies Finger Natural Fiber , 2013 .

[93]  P. Herrera-Franco,et al.  Effect of fiber surface treatments on the essential work of fracture of HDPE-continuous henequen fiber-reinforced composites , 2013 .

[94]  C. Hill,et al.  Silane coupling agents used for natural fiber/polymer composites: A review , 2010 .

[95]  Faris M. AL-Oqla,et al.  Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites in industrial applications: feasibility of date palm fibers for sustainable automotive industry , 2014 .

[96]  K. Xie,et al.  Surface modification of cellulose with triazine derivative to improve printability with reactive dyes , 2009 .

[97]  N. El-Tayeb.  A study on the potential of sugarcane fibers/polyester composite for tribological applications , 2008 .

[98]  M. Rong,et al.  The effect of fiber treatment on the mechanical properties of unidirectional sisal-reinforced epoxy composites , 2001 .

[99]  Luis Reis,et al.  Ecodesign of automotive components making use of natural jute fiber composites , 2010 .