A review on the properties of natural fibres and its bio-composites: Effect of alkali treatment

Abstract

Due to the dominating advantages of natural fibres such as biodegradability, eco-friendliness, nominal cost, low density and high specific strength, they are being used opposite to synthetic fibres in many industrial applications. Despite many advantages, these fibres face some limitations such as higher moisture uptake, quality variations, low thermal stability, and poor compatibility with polymeric matrix. To overcome these limitations, chemical treatments of these fibres were found to be the most suitable method to improve adhesion with polymers, increase their strength and water absorption resistance, and improve their composite properties also. Among chemical treatments, alkali treatment is the most widely used and versatile surface modification method of the natural fibres. A good number of research works have been carried out on effect of alkali treatment on the properties of natural fibres and its composites, which motivated for this review. In this paper, the effect of alkali treatment on the properties of natural fibres has been reviewed. In addition, the physical and mechanical properties, thermal analysis and tribological behaviour of its biocomposites are also reviewed. It was concluded that alkali treatment of natural fibres could provide enhanced properties of various bio-composites up to a great extent.