Biodegradable composites based on biopolymers and natural bast fibres: A review

Abstract

Recently, the attention and interest in composite manufacturing have shifted to biodegradable compounds owing to their environmental benefits and efficiency. The use of biopolymer matrix and natural fibres ensues in a completely biodegradable material. To manufacture a biodegradable composite, the knowledge of the properties of available biodegradable polymers and the natural fibres available as reinforcements is essential. In comparison with the conventional polymers and fibres the data seems to be scattered widely over numerous sources and focus laid on only one of these aspects i.e. either the matrix or the fibre reinforcement. The motive of this article is to give an overview of the range of the biodegradable and bast fibre reinforcements with their most relevant properties. This overview may provide a solution to figure out the most suitable selection of biodegradable polymer matrix and the bast fibre reinforcement.