Biopolymer flax (Linum Usitatissimum L.) and its prospects in biodegradable composite fabrication- a short review

Abstract

Linum Usitatissimum L. is mostly known as flax usually cultivated to consume the fibre demand for apparel and edible oil production. However, recent development and research work has made the diversification of flax polymers to be a part of a growing trend to fabricate biodegradable composites. Although, flax is traditionally grown for its natural plant oil seeds, but it also carries the prospects to be applied in bio-composites either in form of reinforcements or as polymer matrix. Since flax is a biodegradable polymer, the use of flax in composite reinforcement can introduce the concept of green composite that may contribute in lowering the carbon footprint around the globe. The inherent composite characteristics of flax fiber provide outstanding mechanical properties. Further, the technology for producing bio-based resin from flax oil for industrial application has added additional value offering significant opportunities for new and improved materials from renewable resources. This review intends to discuss few of the key points that summarize the promising features of flax in fabricating biodegradable composites. VARTM is one of the significant manufacturing methods of flax reinforced composites using non-woven flax mat where flax mat is usually formed by web formation method through air or wet lying technique. Flax fibre properties, effect of manufacturing parameters like needle punch density, mat areal density and consolidation pressure while manufacturing composites plays an important role on the strength and modulus of flax reinforced composites.