A review on physico-mechanical properties of bast fibre reinforced polymer composites

- Bast fibres considered as potential application in the composite industry.
- Classification of bast fibre reinforced polymer composites.
- Advantages of different polymers and various techniques to enhance the Physico-mechanical properties of bast fibre composites.
- Applications of bast fibre composites as building materials.

In the last two decades, the fibre reinforced composites have attracted substantial importance as a potential structural material for residential housing construction and is largely found in nonstructural housing components. Research and development efforts are being made to use bast fibres (comes under the classification of plant fibres) as reinforcement for the automotive and building industries. Bast fibres, a relatively new group of environmental friendly materials are in considerable demand in recent years by unifying technological, economical and ecological aspects. Bast fibres are receiving increasing attention as reinforcement in polymeric materials in composites due to the shortage and environmental hazardous of non-renewable resources. The use of bast fibres offer a number of advantages, since they are derived from a renewable resource, require low energy inputs in their manufacture, and can be disposed of at the end of their life-cycle by composting. Further the bast fibre reinforced polymer composites is of low density and cost as well as having satisfactory mechanical properties. The aim of this paper is to provide a consolidated report of the researches in the field of different bast fibres (banana, flax, hemp, jute, kenaf and ramie) reinforced polymer composite including the effect of chemical treatment with its physico-mechanical properties and their applications.