Properties and applications of natural, synthetic and hybrid fiber reinforced polymer composite: A review

Abstract

Environmental challenges associated with synthetic reinforcement in polymer composites, such as non-biodegradability and poor recyclability, require the exploration of various natural materials, especially from waste streams, to fully or partially replace such reinforcements. However, these natural fibers also present challenges such as high water absorption, low thermal stability, and average mechanical properties. To circumvent these problems, natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites, which contain one or more types of natural reinforcement, are gaining increasing research interest. This paper presents a review of natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites. Both thermoplastics and thermosets reinforced by natural and synthetic fibers (hybrid fibers) are reviewed. The properties of fibers and the resulting composites and processing techniques are summarized.