Characterization of New Natural Cellulosic Fibers – A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The world is in the need of more eco-friendly materials; therefore researchers around the globe focus on developing new materials that would improve the environmental quality of products. This need for new green materials has led to the utilization of composites made from raw natural fibers as they are low cost and have better mechanical properties and require low production energy consumption. Natural fibers are one of the effective substitutes for switching artificial fiber and concentrating to reinforce polymer matrices due to their decomposable characteristic. This study explains the various tests to be carried out such as mechanical property analysis, chemical composition analysis, surface morphology analysis, thermal stability analysis, etc., in order to characterize a new natural fiber. The impact of treating natural fibers with the suitable chemicals on the desirable properties is elaborately discussed. The testing procedures and the various significant points given by the researchers in this field are presented in detail. This work will surely be helpful for the upcoming researchers those who would like to carry out the research work in natural fiber composites.