25 - Advances and applications of biofiber-based polymer composites

Abstract

Biofiber-based polymer composites have seen tremendous growth in the last decade and are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.8% from 2016 to 2024. Biofiber composites are 25%–30% stronger than glass fiber of the same weight, which make them a potential player in the manufacturing industry. In this chapter, we present the advances and application of biofiber-based polymer composite in aerospace, automotive, military and defense, construction, and electronics followed by a recycling comparison study between synthetic, hybrid, and complete biofiber polymer composites. In the later part of the chapter, the advances in multiscale analysis, manufacturing methods, and pretreatment in biofiber and polymer composites are presented. At the end of the chapter, the future prospects of biofiber-based polymer composites are discussed.