Volume 18, Issue 4 pp. 351-363
Research Article
Free to Read

Natural fiber polymer composites: A review

D. Nabi Saheb

D. Nabi Saheb

Polymer Engineering Group, Chemical Engineering Division, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411 008, India

Search for more papers by this author
J. P. Jog

Corresponding Author

J. P. Jog

Polymer Engineering Group, Chemical Engineering Division, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411 008, India

Polymer Engineering Group, Chemical Engineering Division, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411 008, IndiaSearch for more papers by this author

Abstract

Natural fiber reinforced composites is an emerging area in polymer science. These natural fibers are low cost fibers with low density and high specific properties. These are biodegradable and non-abrasive. The natural fiber composites offer specific properties comparable to those of conventional fiber composites. However, in development of these composites, the incompatibility of the fibers and poor resistance to moisture often reduce the potential of natural fibers and these draw backs become critical issue. This review presents the reported work on natural fiber reinforced composites with special reference to the type of fibers, matrix polymers, treatment of fibers and fiber-matrix interface. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Adv in Polymer Techn 18: 351–363, 1999

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.