What are Natural Fiber Composites? Basics, Applications, and Future Potentials

Overview

1. Introduction

2. Natural Fiber Polymer Composites

3. Natural Fibers

4. Polymers: Thermoset and Thermoplastics

5. Basic Characteristics

6. Parameters affecting NFPCs

7. NFPC applications

8. Forcing function for adoption

9. Conclusion

Introduction

There has been stringent consumer awareness towards new products from renewable sources in the last few years. Green marketing, fresh opinions on recycling, social influence, and change of cognitive values have led consumers towards environmentally friendly results. Specifically, composite materials are being developed and redesigned to improve and adapt traditional products and introduce new products sustainably and responsibly.

This article examines and discusses the latest published trends in the context of natural fiber polymer composites while providing insight about natural fibers, polymers with highlighting their properties and applications

Natural Fibre-Polymer Composites

Natural Fiber Polymer Composites (NFPC) are composite materials consisting of a polymer matrix embedded with high-strength natural fibers.

Natural Fiber in Composites

Natural fibers are produced by plants, animals, and geological processes. They can be used as a component of composite materials, where the orientation of fibers impacts the properties. In the table below a few successful natural fiber evolutions are covered and compared to E-glass fiber in the property.