Reviewing the Development of Natural Fiber Polymer Composite: A Case Study of Sisal and Jute

Abstract

Natural fibers that are mainly from plants, animals and regenerated sources are degradable and environmentally friendly as they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, they are cost effective when compare to the synthetic fibers. These materials mainly from plant are used initially for domestics’ purposes. They have recently been introduced to some industries, such as automotive, aircraft, marine and buildings, arising from their excellent mechanical, physical and chemical properties. The common natural fibers used for Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites (NFRPC) are, cotton, sisal, coir, jute, hemp, flax, banana, bamboo etc. Several researches and publications on natural fibers and its composite show that despite the properties of these fibers, their applications were limited to non-structural applications either for interior or exterior applications just for their environmental and low-cost benefit with less concern for their strength capabilities. Sisal and jute are fibers from vegetable and bast plants that had been proved to have exhibited excellent tensile and flexural properties (bast composite) and best impact properties (vegetable composite), were also restricted to non-structural applications only. This paper reviewed the present status and future expectations of natural fiber reinforced composites in structural applications using sisal and jute fiber reinforced polymer composites as a case.