Plant Fibers, their Composites, and Applications - Chapter 1: Introduction to plant fibers and their composites

Cognizance toward the development of biodegradable and sustainable materials has impacted in the use of more green materials which would be an effective solution in overcoming the global environmental crisis. In this regard, composites composed of various plant-based resources have been utilized by manufacturers for developing their products which has benefited in the minimization of carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emanations. Plant fibers possess several advantages such as low cost, easy processing, biodegradable, recyclable and less health hazardous problems when compared with synthetic fibers making them effective and efficient reinforcements in composite materials. Though having above mentioned merits the plant fibers are sometimes suspectable with hydrophobic matrices due to their hydrophilic nature, poor interfacial adhesion behavior, high moisture absorption, poor fire resistance, and low durability properties. The above issues are resolved through different physical and chemical treatments which will make the plant fibers to become efficient reinforcing agents with hydrophobic matrices and helps in achieving high performance composite materials. This article highlights the overview on the importance of plant fibers and their composites, merits and demerits, significance of surface modification methods and their impacts, evaluation methods and applications.