Natural and Synthetic Fibers for Hybrid Composites

Abstract

In the current scenario, components demand superior mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties that can be achieved with the use of synthetic fibers. However, the environmental and energy issues are the problem associated with the synthetic fiber composites. Because of this, natural fiber-reinforced polymers (NFRPs) composites become the eye candies of the researchers. Renewability, sustainability, availability, and lower cost are the leading qualities that take them to the apex of the polymer industries. Researchers are searching the applications based on supreme qualities of natural fibers in several fields such as automobile, space, homeware, textiles, etc. They hold good properties as well as have some limitation toward strength, water absorption, and flammability because of the chemical constituents present in the plant fibers. Therefore, in order to take the advantage of both types of fibers, researchers use hybrid composites. This hybridization brings out various attractive properties of both natural and synthetic fiber results in attractive properties at economical cost of the finished product. Therefore, the present discussion is a review on the physical and mechanical properties of the hybrid fiber-based polymer composites reinforced with synthetic and natural fibers.