A comprehensive review of natural fibers and their composites: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials
Breakthroughs in materials science are the driving force behind many of today's industrial advancements in our fast-changing high-tech world. Composite materials have proven valuable in numerous sectors, including automotive, aerospace, aeronautics, naval, and sports, due to their exceptional m...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Results in Engineering |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123023003985 |
| _version_ | 1827815497621569536 |
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| author | Issam Elfaleh Fethi Abbassi Mohamed Habibi Furqan Ahmad Mohamed Guedri Mondher Nasri Christian Garnier |
| author_facet | Issam Elfaleh Fethi Abbassi Mohamed Habibi Furqan Ahmad Mohamed Guedri Mondher Nasri Christian Garnier |
| author_sort | Issam Elfaleh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Breakthroughs in materials science are the driving force behind many of today's industrial advancements in our fast-changing high-tech world. Composite materials have proven valuable in numerous sectors, including automotive, aerospace, aeronautics, naval, and sports, due to their exceptional mechanical properties and lightweight nature. However, environmental concerns have led to a decrease in the use of fossil fuel-derived materials. Additionally, efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel efficiency require lightweight materials with a lower carbon footprint, highlighting the importance of natural fiber composites. Natural fiber composites are made from renewable resources, comprising reinforcements made of natural fibers such as jute, flax, ramie, hemp, cotton, sisal, and kenaf, and a matrix, preferably derived from biomass, which may or may not be biodegradable. However, plant fibers have certain drawbacks when combined with polymers. Due to the presence of hydroxyl groups in lignocellulose, plant fibers are hydrophilic, making them incompatible with hydrophobic thermoplastics and prone to moisture damage. These limitations pose challenges for using plant fibers as polymer reinforcement. To improve adhesion between fibers and the polymer matrix and reduce moisture absorption, surface modifications are typically required. Various methods, such as alkaline, silane, or other chemical treatments, have been developed to enhance fiber-matrix compatibility and improve composite quality. Although natural fiber composites are still in development and their applications are limited, they hold great promise as a sustainable alternative to conventional materials. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:00:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b2bde141c42a44b2a292d4ad2b21a91a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2590-1230 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:00:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Results in Engineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-b2bde141c42a44b2a292d4ad2b21a91a2023-09-18T04:30:35ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302023-09-0119101271A comprehensive review of natural fibers and their composites: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional materialsIssam Elfaleh0Fethi Abbassi1Mohamed Habibi2Furqan Ahmad3Mohamed Guedri4Mondher Nasri5Christian Garnier6Research unit on Structural Dynamics, Modeling and Engineering of Multi-Physics Systems-IPEIN, TunisiaCollege of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait; Corresponding author.Department of Mechanical Engineering, Université Du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Quebec, CanadaDepartment of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Dhofar University, Salalah, OmanResearch unit on Structural Dynamics, Modeling and Engineering of Multi-Physics Systems-IPEIN, TunisiaLMPE, ENSIT, University of Tunis, 5 Avenue Hussein, BP, 56, Bâb Manara 1008, TunisiaLaboratoire Génie de Production (LGP), University of Toulouse, INP-ENIT, 47 Av. D’Azereix, 65016, Tarbes, FranceBreakthroughs in materials science are the driving force behind many of today's industrial advancements in our fast-changing high-tech world. Composite materials have proven valuable in numerous sectors, including automotive, aerospace, aeronautics, naval, and sports, due to their exceptional mechanical properties and lightweight nature. However, environmental concerns have led to a decrease in the use of fossil fuel-derived materials. Additionally, efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel efficiency require lightweight materials with a lower carbon footprint, highlighting the importance of natural fiber composites. Natural fiber composites are made from renewable resources, comprising reinforcements made of natural fibers such as jute, flax, ramie, hemp, cotton, sisal, and kenaf, and a matrix, preferably derived from biomass, which may or may not be biodegradable. However, plant fibers have certain drawbacks when combined with polymers. Due to the presence of hydroxyl groups in lignocellulose, plant fibers are hydrophilic, making them incompatible with hydrophobic thermoplastics and prone to moisture damage. These limitations pose challenges for using plant fibers as polymer reinforcement. To improve adhesion between fibers and the polymer matrix and reduce moisture absorption, surface modifications are typically required. Various methods, such as alkaline, silane, or other chemical treatments, have been developed to enhance fiber-matrix compatibility and improve composite quality. Although natural fiber composites are still in development and their applications are limited, they hold great promise as a sustainable alternative to conventional materials.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123023003985Natural fibersFiber surface treatmentNatural fiber reinforced polymer compositesEco-friendly materialPhysico-mechanical propertiesPotential applications |
| spellingShingle | Issam Elfaleh Fethi Abbassi Mohamed Habibi Furqan Ahmad Mohamed Guedri Mondher Nasri Christian Garnier A comprehensive review of natural fibers and their composites: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials Results in Engineering Natural fibers Fiber surface treatment Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites Eco-friendly material Physico-mechanical properties Potential applications |
| title | A comprehensive review of natural fibers and their composites: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials |
| title_full | A comprehensive review of natural fibers and their composites: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials |
| title_fullStr | A comprehensive review of natural fibers and their composites: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials |
| title_full_unstemmed | A comprehensive review of natural fibers and their composites: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials |
| title_short | A comprehensive review of natural fibers and their composites: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials |
| title_sort | comprehensive review of natural fibers and their composites an eco friendly alternative to conventional materials |
| topic | Natural fibers Fiber surface treatment Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites Eco-friendly material Physico-mechanical properties Potential applications |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123023003985 |
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