An Overview of Natural Fibers and Fillers Reinforced Polymer Composite Materials

Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | Special Issue 04 | Page : 78 92
    By

    Dinki Sharma,

  • Akant Kumar Singh,

  1. PG Scholar, Department of Automobile Engineering, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Punjab, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Punjab, India

Abstract

Polymer composite materials reinforced with natural fibers and fillers are drawing wide spread attention due to their sustainability, eco-friendliness, and a replacement of conventional synthetic composites. Such materials combine strength and stiffness of natural fibers like jute, hemp, flax, and sisal with flexibility and durability of polymer matrices, including thermoplastics, and thermosets. The paper reviews some developments, properties, and applications of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs), focusing on their merits, constraints, and emerging trends. Some main advantages of natural fibers are biodegradability, renewability, and regularity of density and cost-saving. The use of natural fibers in polymer matrices increases mechanical properties such as tension, impact resistance, and thermal stability, yet sparingly impacts the environment. Substituent materials like rice husk, wood flour, or other agricultural residues serve as functional reinforcements in improving composite performance. Nevertheless, challenges such as moisture absorption, poor interfacial bonding, and droplet content could need to be better understood to compete fully. The role of surface treatments, hybridization with synthetic fibers, and advanced fabrication techniques is examined in this paper with respect to their limitations. Progress in bio-based polymers and green processing is further solidifying the justification for using NFRPCs as a convenient solution for automotive, construction, packaging, and consumer product applications.

Keywords: Fibres, filler, thermosetting polymer composite, mechanical, physical properties, applications.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer and Composites (jopc)]

How to cite this article:
Dinki Sharma, Akant Kumar Singh. An Overview of Natural Fibers and Fillers Reinforced Polymer Composite Materials. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(04):78-92.
How to cite this URL:
Dinki Sharma, Akant Kumar Singh. An Overview of Natural Fibers and Fillers Reinforced Polymer Composite Materials. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(04):78-92. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=214923


Browse Figures

References

  1. T. Sreenivas, N. Krishnamurthy, and G. R. Arpitha, “A comprehensive review on light weight kenaf fiber for automobiles,” International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture, vol. 3, no. 4. KeAi Publishing Communications Ltd., pp. 328–337, Dec. 01, 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.ijlmm.2020.05.003.
  2. Abu Shaid Sujon, M. A. Habib, and M. Z. Abedin, “Experimental investigation of the mechanical and water absorption properties on fiber stacking sequence and orientation of jute/carbon epoxy hybrid composites,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 10970–10981, 2020, doi:

10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.07.079.

  1. A. Balogun, O. O. Daramola, A. A. Adediran, A. A. Akinwande, and O. S. Bello, “Investigation of Jute/Tetracarpidium conophorum reinforced polypropylene composites for automobile application: Mechanical, wear and flow properties,” Alexandria Engineering Journal, vol. 65, pp. 327–341, Feb. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.aej.2022.10.026.
  2. Imraan, R. A. Ilyas, A. S. Norfarhana, S. P. Bangar, V. F. Knight, and M. N. F. Norrrahim, “Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibers: new emerging natural fibre and its relevant properties, treatments and potential applications,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 24. Elsevier Editora Ltda, pp. 4551–4572, May 01, 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.04.056.
  3. C. Das et al., “On the use of wood charcoal filler to improve the properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2021, pp. 926–929. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.10.808.
  4. Immanuel Durai Raj, K. Arun Vasantha Geethan, A. John Rajan, and S. Vijay Ananth, “Characterization of epoxy resin based banana fiber reinforced composite with waste CD powder filler,”

Mater Today Proc, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2023.04.152.

  1. Gapsari et al., “Flammability and mechanical properties of Timoho fiber-reinforced polyester composite combined with iron powder filler,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 21, pp. 212–219, Nov. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2022.09.025.
  2. K. Singh, R. Tewari, S. Zafar, S. M. Rangappa, and S. Siengchin, “A comprehensive review of various factors for application feasibility of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites,” Results in Materials, vol. 17, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.rinma.2022.100355.
  3. H. Nazir, A. H. Al-Marzouqi, W. Ahmed, and E. Zaneldin, “The potential of adopting natural fibers reinforcements for fused deposition modeling: Characterization and implications,” Heliyon, vol. 9, no. 4. Elsevier Ltd, Apr. 01, 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15023.
  4. Doddamani, S. M. Kulkarni, S. Joladarashi, M. K. T S, and A. K. Gurjar, “Analysis of light weight natural fiber composites against ballistic impact: A review,” International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture, vol. 6, no. 3. KeAi Publishing Communications Ltd., pp. 450–468, Sep. 01, 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.ijlmm.2023.01.003.
  5. Yadav et al., “Dry sliding wear characteristics of natural fibre reinforced poly-lactic acid composites for engineering applications: Fabrication, properties and characterizations,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 23, pp. 1189–1203, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.01.006.
  6. Venkatesh, S. Ballal, A. M. Krishnan, S. Prabagaran, S. Mohankumar, and E. Ramaraj, “Effect of fiber layer formation on mechanical and wear properties of natural fiber filled epoxy hybrid composites,” Heliyon, vol. 9, no. 5, May 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15934.
  7. B. M. Supian et al., “Mechanical and physical performance of date palm/bamboo fibre reinforced epoxy hybrid composites,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 15, pp. 1330–1341, Nov. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.08.115.
  8. Mahboubizadeh, S., Sadeq, A., Arzaqi, Z. et al.Advancements in fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites: an extensive review. Discov Mater 4, 22 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-024-00091-9
  9. O. Ismail, E. Akpan, and H. N. Dhakal, “Review on natural plant fibres and their hybrid composites for structural applications: Recent trends and future perspectives,” Composites Part C: Open Access, vol. 9, Oct. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.jcomc.2022.100322.
  10. S. Preethi, C. H. Ramya, G. Sumathi, N. Mounika, and N. Sateesh, “Investigations on mechanical properties of jute fiber and epoxy resin composites with titanium oxide,” Mater Today Proc, vol. 62, pp. 4310–4315, Jan. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.04.812.
  11. Sharma, R. Sharma, and S. Chandra Sharma, “A review on fibres and fillers on improving the mechanical behaviour of fibre reinforced polymer composites,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2020, pp. 6482–6489. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.03.667.
  12. Ramu, N. Senthilkumar, and B. Deepanraj, “Mechanical characterization of E-glass fiber/aluminium powder filled with and without coconut fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composite,” Mater Today Proc, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2023.03.074.
  13. S. Madival, D. Doreswamy, and R. Shetty, “A review on the physical and mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced composites and its machinability using abrasive waterjet machining,” Mater Today Proc, May 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2023.04.519.
  14. Girimurugan, C. Shilaja, S. Mayakannan, S. Rajesh, and B. Aravinth, “Experimental investigations on flexural and compressive properties of epoxy resin matrix sugarcane fiber and tamarind seed powder reinforced bio-composites,” Mater Today Proc, vol. 66, pp. 822–828, Jan. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.04.386.
  15. Deepan, R. Jeyakumar, V. Mohankumar, and A. Manojkumar, “Influence of rice husk fillers on mechanical properties of banana/epoxy natural fiber hybrid composites,” Mater Today Proc, vol. 74, pp. 575–580, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.09.459.
  16. Dattatreya, S. Sathees Kumar, V. V. S. H. Prasad, and P. Ranjan Pati, “Mechanical properties of waste natural fibers/fillers reinforced epoxy hybrid composites for automotive applications,” Mater Today Proc, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2023.02.001.
  17. dua et al., “Potential of natural fiber based polymeric composites for cleaner automotive component production -a comprehensive review,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 25, pp. 1086–1104, Jul. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.06.019.
  18. Hariprasad, K. Ravichandran, V. Jayaseelan, and T. Muthuramalingam, “Acoustic and mechanical characterisation of polypropylene composites reinforced by natural fibres for automotive applications,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 14029–14035, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.09.112.
  19. Chegdani, B. Takabi, B. L. Tai, M. El Mansori, and S. T. S. Bukkapatnam, “Thermal Effects on Tribological Behavior in Machining Natural Fiber Composites,” Elsevier B.V., 2018, pp. 305–316. doi: 10.1016/j.promfg.2018.07.039.
  20. Gobikannan et al., “Flexural properties and failure mechanisms of infusible thermoplastic- and thermosetting based composite materials for marine applications,” Compos Struct, vol. 273, p. 114276, Oct. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.114276.
  21. H et al., “Effect of bio-fibers and inorganic fillers reinforcement on mechanical and thermal characteristics on carbon-kevlar-basalt-innegra fiber bio/ synthetic epoxy hybrid composites,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 23, pp. 5440–5458, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.02.162.
  22. K. Singh, R. Tewari, S. Zafar, S. M. Rangappa, and S. Siengchin, “A comprehensive review of various factors for application feasibility of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites,” Results in Materials, vol. 17, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.rinma.2022.100355.
  23. Mohammed et al., “Comprehensive insights on mechanical attributes of natural-synthetic fibres in polymer composites,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 25. Elsevier Editora Ltda, pp. 4960–4988, Jul. 01, 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.06.148.
  24. H. Nazir, A. H. Al-Marzouqi, W. Ahmed, and E. Zaneldin, “The potential of adopting natural fibers reinforcements for fused deposition modeling: Characterization and implications,” Heliyon, vol. 9, no. 4. Elsevier Ltd, Apr. 01, 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15023.
  25. A. Karim, M. Z. Abdullah, A. F. Deifalla, M. Azab, and A. Waqar, “An assessment of the processing parameters and application of fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) in the petroleum and natural gas industries: A review,” Results in Engineering, vol. 18. Elsevier B.V., Jun. 01, 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.rineng.2023.101091.
  26. Hariprasad, K. Ravichandran, V. Jayaseelan, and T. Muthuramalingam, “Acoustic and mechanical characterisation of polypropylene composites reinforced by natural fibres for automotive applications,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 14029–14035, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.09.112.
  27. Elfaleh et al., “A comprehensive review of natural fibers and their composites: An eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials,” Results in Engineering, vol. 19. Elsevier B.V., Sep. 01, 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.rineng.2023.101271.
  28. Y. Khalid, A. Kamal, A. Otabil, O. Mamoun, and K. Liao, “Graphene/epoxy nanocomposites for improved fracture toughness: A focused review on toughening mechanism,” Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, vol. 16. Elsevier B.V., Nov. 15, 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.ceja.2023.100537.
  29. S. Ismail et al., “Dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of Flax/bio-phenolic/epoxy reinforced hybrid composites,” J King Saud Univ Sci, vol. 35, no. 7, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.jksus.2023.102790.
  30. Prasad, D. Suresh, M. A. Joseph, K. Sekar, and M. Ali, “Development Of Flax Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composite With Nano Tio 2 Addition Into Matrix To Enhance Mechanical Properties,” 2018. [Online]. Available: www.sciencedirect.comwww.materialstoday.com/proceedings
  31. Prakash, M. Prathab, M. Dhanashekar, and V. S. S. Kumar, “Open Hole Tensile Behaviour of Nano Fillers (SiC & Banana) in CNSL/Epoxy Resin Reinforeced with Basalt fiber,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2018, pp. 8631–8637. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2017.11.562.
  32. V. Allamraju, “Mechanical behaviour of nano jute filler glass fiber self healing and epoxy resin composite,” 2018. [Online]. Available: www.sciencedirect.comwww.materialstoday.com/proceedings2214-7853
  33. Akash, S. Avinash, and M. Ramachandra, “A Study on Mechanical Properties of Silk Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Resin Bio-Composite with SiC As Filler Addition,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2018, pp. 3219–3228. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2018.01.131.
  34. P. Ashik, R. S. Sharma, and N. Raghavendra, “Evaluation of Tensile, Modal and Fracture Properties of Jute/Epoxy Natural Composites with addition of Silicon di Oxide as Filler Material,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2017, pp. 9586–9591. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2017.06.229.
  35. Atiqah, M. N. M. Ansari, and L. Premkumar, “Impact and hardness properties of honeycomb natural fibre reinforced epoxy composites,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2019, pp. 138–142. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.05.645.
  36. Vinay Reddy, G. Bharathiraja, and V. Jayakumar, “Experimental investigation on sugarcane powder filled glass fiber epoxy composite,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2020, pp. 762–765. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2019.10.113.
  37. R. Chavhan and L. N. Wankhade, “Improvement of the mechanical properties of hybrid composites prepared by fibers, fiber-metals, and nano-filler particles-A review,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, Jan. 2020, pp. 72–82. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2019.08.240.
  38. Saiteja, V. Jayakumar, and G. Bharathiraja, “Evaluation of mechanical properties of jute fiber/carbon nano tube filler reinforced hybrid polymer composite,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2020, pp. 756–758. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2019.10.110.
  39. J. M. Ridzuan, M. S. Abdul Majid, A. Khasri, E. H. D. Gan, Z. M. Razlan, and S. Syahrullail, “Effect of pineapple leaf (PALF), napier, and hemp fibres as filler on the scratch resistance of epoxy composites,” Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 5384–5395, Nov. 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2019.09.005.
  40. Sharma, R. Sharma, and S. Chandra Sharma, “A review on fibres and fillers on improving the mechanical behaviour of fibre reinforced polymer composites,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2020, pp. 6482–6489. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.03.667.
  41. Srinivasan, G. Suresh, K. Santhoshpriya, C. T. Chidambaram, K. R. Vijayakumar, and A. A. Munaf, “Experimental analysis on mechanical properties of banana fibre/epoxy (particulate) reinforced composite,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2021, pp. 1285–1289. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.05.103.
  42. Pujar, R. M. Devarajaiah, B. Suresha, and V. Bharat, “A review on mechanical and wear properties of fiber-reinforced thermoset composites with ceramic and lubricating fillers,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2021, pp. 7701–7710. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.02.214.
  43. Velmurugan, D. Dinesh Kumar, and S. Thanikaikarasan, “Experimental evaluation of mechanical properties of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2020, pp. 3383–3388. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.05.190.
  44. Kerni, S. Singh, A. Patnaik, and N. Kumar, “A review on natural fiber reinforced composites,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2020, pp. 1616–1621. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.04.851.
  45. Elanchezhian, B. V. Ramnath, G. Ramakrishnan, M. Rajendrakumar, V. Naveenkumar, and M. K. Saravanakumar, “Review on mechanical properties of natural fiber composites.,” in Materials Today: Proceedings, Elsevier Ltd, 2018, pp. 1785–1790. doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2017.11.276.
  46. Sivasubramanian Palanisamy, a,e,* Sumesh Keerthiveetil Ramakrishnan, b Carlo Santulli,c Tabrej Khan, d,* and Omar Shabbir Ahmed d “Mechanical and Wear Performance Evaluation of Natural Fiber/Epoxy Matrix Composites” bioresources.cnr.ncsu.edu doi: 10.15376/biores.19.4.8459-8478.
  47. Sivasubramanian PALANISAMY1 , Thulasi Mani MURUGESAN2 , Murugesan PALANIAPPAN3 , Carlo SANTULLI4 , Nadir AYRILMIŞ*5 Fostering sustainability: The environmental advantages of natural fiber composite materials – a mini review Environmental Research and Technology doi: https://10.35208/ert.1397380
  48. Sivasubramanian Palanisamy a, * , Kavimani Vijayananth b , Thulasi Mani Murugesan c , Murugesan Palaniappan d , Carlo Santulli e, ** “The prospects of natural fiber composites: A brief review” International Journal of Lightweight Materials and Manufacture doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlmm.2024.01.003.
  49. Sivasubramanian Palanisamy 1,2 , Mayandi Kalimuthu 1,*, Rajini Nagarajan 1 , José Maria Fernandes Marlet 3 and Carlo Santulli 4,* “Physical, Chemical, and Mechanical Characterization of Natural Bark Fibers (NBFs) Reinforced Polymer Composites: A Bibliographic Review”Fibers is an International org/10.3390/fib11020013
  50. Rajesh K. Sahoo1 , Dharmendra Singh2,*, Amritraj Mahato1 , Nitin Sharma1 , Jagatjyoti Mohapatra1 , Lupteindu Chhura1 , Rahul Mahato1 , Pankaj K. Giri3 , Sneha B. Linda1 , Harish Kumar4 , Suhail A. Tali4 , Asif Ali4 , Rahbar Ali5 , S. Kumar6 , Nabendu K. Deb7 , N.P.M. Sathik8 , M. Afzal Ansari9 , R. Kumar10, S. Muralithar11, R.P. Singh12 “Breakup Fusion of 18O with 144Sm” Journal of Polymer & Composites doi (Journal): 10.37591/JoPC.
Special Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 13
Special Issue 04
Received 12/11/2024
Accepted 28/01/2025
Published 15/05/2025
Publication Time 184 Days
Total Visits: 156


My IP

PlumX Metrics