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Review
. 2023;80(4):3489-3506.
doi: 10.1007/s00289-022-04241-y. Epub 2022 May 7.

A review on the limitations of natural fibres and natural fibre composites with emphasis on tensile strength using coir as a case study

Chioma Ifeyinwa Madueke  1 , Oguejiofor Miracle Mbah  2 , Reginald Umunakwe  1
Affiliations
Review

A review on the limitations of natural fibres and natural fibre composites with emphasis on tensile strength using coir as a case study

Chioma Ifeyinwa Madueke et al. Polym Bull (Berl). 2023.

Abstract

Natural fibres such as coir, jute, flax, and hemp have been considered for technical applications. These fibres, though with some desirable qualities such as low density and environmental compatibility, possess the common property of non-uniformity along their length and, as a result, variable diameter and variable cross-sectional area. Several other factors, such as gauge length, fibre species and origin, strain rate, method of extraction of the fibres, porosity and pore size distribution, have been identified to influence the tensile strength of natural fibres and limit their applications in composites. Besides, several authors have used different diameters for the same type of natural fibre, such as coir, resulting in significant inconsistency in the tensile properties. For the same type of coir fibre, and from tensile strength reports from ten authors, an average tensile strength of 120.97 ± 42.30 MPa was obtained. The average number of fibres used in most cases for the tensile test was less than the requirement for natural fibres. All these factors were addressed with the aim of improving the overall properties of natural fibres and their composites.

Keywords: Coir; Limitations; Natural fibre; Properties; Tensile strength.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors have non-financial interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
World productions of natural fibres 2012–2017; adapted from [5]
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Applications of natural fibre composites in different sectors adapted from [27]
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Global commercial vehicle production showing continuous growth in the automobile industry adapted from the International organization of motor vehicle manufacturers (OICA) [28]
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Level of production of natural fibres in comparison with synthetic fibres adapted from [4]
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Variations in the tensile strength of coir fibres as applied by different authors, with data extracted from [, , –48]
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Variations in the diameter of coir fibres used for tensile tests as applied by different authors, with data extracted from [42, 43, 47, 48, 53, 54]
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Variations in the number of coir fibres used for tensile tests by different authors. Compiled using the following sources: [, , –57]
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Effect of gauge length on the tensile strength of coir fibres Adapted from [42, 46] T for: G1 = 5; G2 = 10; G3 = 20; G4 = 25. M for: G1 = 5; G2 = 15; G3 = 25; G4 = 35.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Variations in the gauge lengths of coir fibres as reported by different authors. Compiled using the following Sources: [22, 24, 42, 46, 48, 54, 55, 58]
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
Optical micrographs of coir fibres of the same species, origin and maturity showing different sizes of pores (micrographs are the author’s work)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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