Introduction to bio-based fibers and their composites

Global composite market utilizes biofibers as a reinforcement for the manufacturing of polymer composites due its availability, low cost, and environmental characteristics. Majorly, biofibers are obtained from plants and animals. The plants fiber sources are leaf, seeds, grass, and bast. These fibers are soft, light weight, good sweat absorbents, and these can be converted into any shape, size, and color. The bio composites are produced by the reinforcement of biofibers with bio epoxy or polymer matrix. The adhesive nature is poor between the biofibers and the polymer matrix due to the hydrophilic nature of reinforcement and hydrophobicity of polymer matrix. To overcome the material failure by poor adhesion, the biofibers were subjected to chemical treatment. This results in an improvement of bio composite performance. The biofiber hybridization gives superior mechanical and thermal properties. Developed bio composites are popular in high scale applications because of comparable properties with the synthetic composites. This review briefs the biofibers sources, their structure, properties, applications, and material characterization of biocomposites with their applications.