PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF NATURAL FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES WITH POTENTIALS FOR WIND TURBINE BLADE APPLICATIONS: A REVIEW

Abstract

The wind turbine blade, which is currently being developed with carbon and glass fiber-filled composites, is a key part of the wind turbine system used in the production of wind energy. Present-day realities have necessitated the need for the replacement of these materials, which are costly, scarce, non-biodegradable, and non-eco-friendly, with natural fibers, which are more available and eco-friendly. This study gives an overview of the wind energy industry, wind turbine blades, and the production systems associated with it in particular. It describes the attributes of natural fibers, their composites, hybrids of natural fibers, their defects, and their possible application in the development of wind turbine blades.