A Review on the Properties of Natural Fibers and Manufacturing Techniques of Fiber Reinforced Biocomposites

Over the last century and a half, human have learned how to make synthetic polymers into plastic products. Synthetic polymer and plastic products are resistant to degradation and causes the environmental pollution. As growing awareness about ecological and environmental issues spread, the persistence of plastic waste began to trouble observers. Researchers and innovators are searching for a way to place more environmentally friendly biodegradable materials than conventional plastics in the market. Following that, biodegradable biocomposites have entered the market for use in agriculture, medicine, packaging, civil engineering, and other areas. Recently, natural fiber or, lignocellulosic fiber-based biocomposites have gained much attention for different industrial uses and applications because of their low density and renewability and significant advantages of natural fibers. These fiber-reinforced biocomposites are having satisfactory physical and mechanical properties (i.e., tensile properties, flexural stress-strain behavior, fracture toughness, fracture strength, impact strength) which make them more sustainable and attractive than other composites with a remarkable property of its degradability in the environment. This review is intended to provide a brief discussion of biocomposites, natural fiberreinforced biocomposites, lignocellulosic fiber-based biocomposites, various fabrication processes of fiber-reinforced biocomposites, significant physical and mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced biocomposites, materials used for biocomposites, and its future development.

Keywords: Composites; Fiber reinforced biocomposites; Biocomposites; Biodegradable materials; Manufacturing techniques; Material selection; Future development