A comprehensive review of techniques for natural fibers as reinforcement in composites: Preparation, processing and characterization.

The increase in awareness of the damage caused by synthetic materials on the environment has led to the development of eco-friendly materials. The researchers have shown a lot of interest in developing such materials which can replace the synthetic materials. As a result, there is an increase in demand for commercial use of the natural fiber-based composites in recent years for various industrial sectors. Natural fibers are sustainable materials which are easily available in nature and have advantages like low-cost, lightweight, renewability, biodegradability and high specific properties. The sustainability of the natural fiber-based composite materials has led to upsurge its applications in various manufacturing sectors. In this paper, we have reviewed the different sources of natural fibers, their properties, modification of natural fibers, the effect of treatments on natural fibers, etc. We also summarize the major applications of natural fibers and their effective use as reinforcement for polymer composite materials.

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Natural Fibers as Sustainable and Renewable Resource for Development of Eco-friendly Composites: A Comprehensive Review

There is significant work published in recent years about natural fibres polymeric composites. Most of the studies are about the characterization of natural fibres and their comparison with conventional composites regarding mechanical behaviour and application performance. There are dozens of types of natural fibres with different properties influencing their use, or not, in specific industrial applications. The natural origin of these materials causes, in general, a wide range of variations in properties depending mainly on the harvesting location and conditions, making it difficult to select the appropriate fibre for a specific application. In this paper, a comprehensive review about the properties of natural fibres used as composite materials reinforcement is presented, aiming to map where each type of fibre is positioned in several properties. Recent published work on emergent types of fibres is also reviewed. A bibliometric study regarding applications of natural fibres composites is presented. A prospective analysis about the future trends of natural fibres applications and the required developments to broaden their applications is also presented and discussed.

Natural Fibre Composites and Their Applications: A Review

There is a growing interest in the development of natural fiber-reinforced composites, most likely due to their wide availability, low cost, environment friendliness, and sustainability. The market...

Hydrophobic treatment of natural fibers and their composites—A review

Demands for reducing energy consumption and environmental impacts are the major driving factors for the development of natural fiber–reinforced composites (NFRCs) in many sectors. Compared with synthesized fiber, natural fiber provides several advantages in terms of biodegradability, light weight, low price, life-cycle superiority, and satisfactory mechanical properties. However, the inherent features of plant-based natural fibers have presented challenges to the development and application of NFRCs, such as variable fiber quality, limited mechanical properties, water absorption, low thermal stability, incompatibility with hydrophobic matrices, and propensity to agglomeration. Substantial research has recently been conducted to address these challenges for improved performance of NFRCs and their applications. This article reviews the recent advancements of plant-based NFRCs, focusing on strategies and breakthroughs in enhancing the NFRCs’ performance, including fiber modification, fiber hybridization, lignocellulosic fillers incorporation, conventional processing techniques, additive manufacturing (3D printing), and new fiber source exploration. The sustainability of plant-based NFRCs using life-cycle assessment and the burgeoning applications of NFRCs with emphasis on the automotive industry are also discussed.

Recent advancements of plant-based natural fiber–reinforced composites and their applications

Extraction and characterization of novel fibers from Vernonia elaeagnifolia as a potential textile fiber

In this study, six different woven samples were produced on air jet loom with two different weave designs (i.e. 3/1 twill and 1/1 plain), three different picking sequences (i.e. single pick insertion (SPI), double pick insertion (DPI) and three pick insertion (3PI)). All the woven samples were singed, desized, bleached and finished together at industrial scale, as a single lot. The effect of these factors on the wetting, wicking and air permeability (AP) of the fabric samples was analysed. It was revealed that the fabric weave design and picking sequence has statistically significant effect on fabric wetting time, water spreading speed and AP of the fabric. It was found that fabrics woven in twill weave design and with simultaneous 3PI give significantly better AP, shorter wetting time and better water spreading rate as compared to plain woven fabrics and those with double or SPI. It could be concluded that the thermophysiological comfort of woven fabrics may be significantly improved simply by selecting a suitable weave design and picking sequence.

Effect of woven fabric structure on the air permeability and moisture management properties

The natural fibre composites are potential alternative of glass fibre composites for structural applications, automobile and furniture industry, but these are susceptible to the bacterial attack. The current study aims to investigate the bio-functionality of composites using flax woven fabric reinforcement along with ZnO nanoparticles. The ZnO nanoparticles were synthesised by sol–gel method and added in different fractions to unsaturated polyester resin before impregnation of reinforcement. The composites were fabricated by vacuum bag moulding technique, and bioactivity was tested in terms of antibacterial activity (zone of inhibition). The ZnO nanoparticles imparted bioactivity to the composites even in the lowest amount (0.02% by weight). These bioactive composites will help to lower the risk for fibre degradation and enhance the service life of composite, by restricting the growth of bacteria.

Bioactive woven flax-based composites: Development and characterisation:

https://link-springer-com-443.webvpn.jmu.edu.cn/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-3-030-11155-7_108-1.pdf

Madeha Jabbar

Papers

Hydrophobic treatment of natural fibers and their composites—A review

Extraction and characterization of novel fibers from Vernonia elaeagnifolia as a potential textile fiber

Effect of woven fabric structure on the air permeability and moisture management properties

Bioactive woven flax-based composites: Development and characterisation:

Bio-composites: Eco-friendly Substitute of Glass Fiber Composites