A review of leaf fiber reinforced polymer composites

Abstract

The utilization of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite has received greater attention in various fields due to its recyclability; inexpensive, nonabrasive, specific properties; light-weight, naturally decomposed, abundant availability; etc. Natural fibers are generally lignocellulosic and multicellular, a better alternate to the synthetic materials. Among the natural fibers, leaf fibers are hard fibers, used in the making of filaments, threads, ropes, mats, fabrics, etc. PALF, sisal, henequen, cantala, fique, alfa, and sansevieria family are the examples of the leaf fibers. The present comprehensive review aims to provide different types of leaf fibers, their properties, and their reinforced composites. The effect of various factors like fiber volume fraction, fiber aspect ratio (length/diameter), fiber orientation, packing arrangement, matrix content and coupling agents, and processing techniques towards the mechanical properties of leaf fiber-reinforced polymer composites, is discussed. The surface modification of fiber such as alkaline, silane, KMnO4, and their effects on the mechanical properties is given. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and water absorption (WA) characteristics are also discussed.