Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An overview of structural-functional-integrated composites based on the hierarchical microstructures of plant fibers

  • Review
  • Published:
Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Plant fiber-reinforced composites have raised great attention among materials scientists and engineers during the past decade. Most of the efforts were put on the interfacial modifications to improve the mechanical properties of the composites so that they could partly replace the currently largely used glass fiber-reinforced composites. The modifications were mainly focused on the surface treatment of plant fibers so that mechanical or chemical bonding between plant fibers and polymeric matrices could be set up. However, the unique hierarchical microstructures of plant fibers make the building up of multiscale interfaces possible so that more forces or energies would be needed to fracture the plant fiber-reinforced composites. The additional hollow structures could also bring benefits for sound absorption and damping properties. Therefore, this article reviewed R&D efforts to develop structural and functional-integrated plant fiber-reinforced composites by fully taking advantage of the hierarchical microstructures of plant fibers. Firstly, the unique hierarchical structures of plant fibers were revealed and hierarchical theoretical models for mechanical properties were discussed. Then, the modification, characterization, and evaluation of plant fibers in terms of their interfacial properties with polymeric matrices, especially by nanotechnologies with the consideration of their unique hierarchical microstructures, were reviewed. Finally, the design and manufacture of quasi-structures and structural-damping components using technologies that have been fully adapted to state-of-the-art industrial processes for use in critical applications, such as aircraft interiors, rail transportation vehicles, and constructions, were also introduced.

Hierarchical microstructures of plant fibers lead to the unique multiscaled fracture modes of their reinforced composites which can make the structural-functional-integrated composite structures possible.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Liu K, Takagi H, Osugi R, Yang Z (2012) Effect of lumen size on the effective transverse thermal conductivity of unidirectional natural fiber composites. Compos Sci Technol 72:633–639

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Duc F, Bourban PE, Månson JAE (2014) The role of twist and crimp on the vibration behaviour of flax fibre composites. Compos Sci Technol 102:94–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Wambua P, Ivens J, Verpoest I (2003) Natural fibres: can they replace glass in fibre reinforced plastics? Compos Sci Technol 63:1259–1264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Pegoretti T, Mathieus F, Evrard D, Brissaud D, Arruda J (2014) Use of recycled natural fibres in industrial products: a comparative LCA case study on acoustic components in the Brazilian automotive sector. Resour Conserv Recy 84:1–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Rodriguez E, Giacomelli F, Vazquez A (2004) Permeability-porosity relationship in RTM for different fiberglass and natural reinforcements. J Compos Mater 38(3):259–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Saw SK, Sarkhel G, Choudhury A (2012) Preparation and characterization of chemically modified Jute-Coir hybrid fiber reinforced epoxy novolac composites. J Appl Polym Sci 125(4):3038–3049

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Le Guen MJ, Newman RH, Fernyhough A, Staiger MP (2014) Tailoring the vibration damping behaviour of flax fibre-reinforced epoxy composite laminates via polyol additions. Compos Part a-Appl Sci Manuf 67:37–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Mangiacapra P, Gorrasi G, Sorrentino A et al (2006) Biodegradable nanocomposites obtained by ball milling of pectin and montmorillonites. Carbohydr Polym 64:516–523

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Williams GI, Wool RP (2000) Composites from natural fibers and soy oil resins. Appl Compos Mater 7:421–432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Bogoeva-Gaceva G, Malinconico AMM, Buzarovska A et al (2007) Natural fiber eco-composites. Polym Compos 28:98–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Malkapuram R, Kumar V, Negi YS (2009) Recent development in natural fiber reinforced polypropylene composites. J Reinf Plast Compos 28:1169–1189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Takagi H, Asano A (2008) Effects of processing conditions on flexural properties of cellulose nanofiber reinforced “green” composites. Compos Part A: Appl Sci Manuf 39(4):685–689

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Dong C, Takagi H (2014) Flexural properties of cellulose nanofibre reinforced green composites. Compos Part B: Eng 58:418–421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Madsen B, Lilholt H (2003) Physical and mechanical properties of unidirectional plant fibre composites—an evaluation of the influence of porosity. Compos Sci Technol 63:1265–1272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Jarukumjorn K, Suppakarn N (2009) Effect of glass fiber hybridization on properties of sisal fiber–polypropylene composites. Compos B -Eng 40:623–627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Mohanty AK, Khan Mubarak A, Hinrichsen G (2000) Surface modification of jute and its influence on performance of biodegradable jute-fabric/biopol composites. Compos Sci Technol 60(11):15–24

    Google Scholar 

  17. Xie Y, Hill CAS, Xiao Z, Militz H, Mai C (2010) Silane coupling agents used for natural fiber/polymer composites: a review. Compos Part A-Appl Sci Manuf 41:806–819

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Kabir MM, Wang H, Lau KT, Cardona F (2012) Chemical treatments on plant-based natural fibre reinforced polymer composites: an overview. Compos B -Eng 43:2883–2892

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Assarar M, Scida D, El Mahi A, Poilâne C, Ayad R (2011) Influence of water ageing on mechanical properties and damage events of two reinforced composite materials: flax-fibres and glass-fibres. Mater Des 32:788–795

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Boccarusso L, Carrino L, Durante M, Formisano A, Langella A, Minutolo FMC (2016) Hemp fabric/epoxy composites manufactured by infusion process: improvement of fire properties promoted by ammonium polyphosphate. Compos Part B - Eng 89:117–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Yi X et al (2014) Basic & Applied Research on Advanced Composites forAerospace (BARACA). (in Chinese), Beijing

  22. Gassan J, Chate A, Bledzki AK (2001) Calculation of elastic properties of natural fibers. J Mater Sci 36:3715–3720

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Li Y, Hu YP, Hu CJ, Yu YH (2008) Microstructures and mechanical properties of natural fibers. Adv Mater Res 33-37:553–558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Li Y, Luo Y, Han S (2010) Multi-scale structures of natural fibres and their applications in making automobile parts. J Biobased Mater Bio 4:164–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Akil HM, Omar MF, Mazuki AAM, Safiee S, Ishak ZAM, Bakar AA (2011) Kenaf fiber reinforced composites: a review. Mater Des 32:4107–4121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Baley C (2002) Analysis of the flax fibres tensile behaviour and analysis of the tensile stiffness increase. Compos Part A-Appl Sci Manuf 33:939–948

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Chanliaud E, Burrows KM, Jeronimidis G, Gidley MJ (2002) Mechanical properties of primary plant cell wall analogues. Planta 215:989–996

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Pan YH, Zhong Z (2014) Modeling of the mechanical degradation induced by moisture absorption in short natural fiber reinforced composites. Compos Sci Technol 103:22–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Salmen L, Deruvo A (1985) A model for the prediction of fiber elasticity. Wood Fiber Sci 17:336–350

    Google Scholar 

  30. Hearle JWS, Sparrow JT (1979) Mechanics of the extension of cotton fibers.2. Theoretical modeling. J Appl Polym Sci 24:1857–1874

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Halpin JC, Kardos JL (1976) Halpin-Tsai equations—review. Polym Eng Sci 16:344–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Yang WD, Li Y (2012) Sound absorption performance of natural fibers and their composites. Sci China Technol Sc 55:2278–2283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Li Y, Mai YW (2006) Interfacial characteristics between sisal fiber and polymeric matrices. J Adhesion 82:527–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Nam TH, Ogihara S, Tung NH, Kobayashi S (2011) Effect of alkali treatment on interfacial and mechanical properties of coir fiber reinforced poly(butylenesuccinate) biodegradable composites. Compos Part B: Eng 42:1648–1656

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Rong M, Zhang M, Liu Y, Yang G, Zeng H (2001) The effect of fiber treatment on the mechanical properties of unidirectional sisal-reinforced epoxy composites. Compos Sci Technol 61:1437–1447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Kalia S, Kaith BS, Kaur I (2009) Pretreatments of natural fibers and their application as reinforcing material in polymer composites—a review. Polym Eng Sci 49:1253–1272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Gu YZ, Tan XL, Yang ZJ, Li M, Zhang ZG (2014) Hot compaction and mechanical properties of ramie fabric/epoxy composite fabricated using vacuum assisted resin infusion molding. Mater Design 56:852–861

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Li Y (2011) Plant fiber reinforced composites and their applications. 20th International Symposium of Processing and Fabrication of Advanced Materials (PFAMXX). Hong Kong

  39. Li Y, Chen CZ, Xu J, Zhang ZS, Yuan BY, Huang XL (2015) Improved mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes-coated flax fiber reinforced composites. J Mater Sci 50:1117–1128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Matsui K, Ohgai M (1997) Formation mechanism of hydrous-zirconia particles produced by hydrolysis of ZrOCl2 solutions. J Am Ceram Soc 80:1949–1956

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Xia YY, Xian GJ, Li H (2014) Enhancement of tensile properties of flax filaments through mercerization under sustained tension. Polym Compos 22:203–207

    Google Scholar 

  42. Chen CZ, Li Y, Yu T (2014) Interlaminar toughening in flax fiber-reinforced composites interleaved with carbon nanotube buckypaper. J Reinf Plast Comp 33:1859–1868

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Shen X, Jia JJ, Chen CZ, Li Y, Kim JK (2014) Enhancement of mechanical properties of natural fiber composites via carbon nanotube addition. J Mater Sci 49:3225–3233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Ni NN, Wen YF, He DL, Yi XS, Zhang T, Xu YH (2015) High damping and high stiffness CFRP composites with aramid non-woven fabric interlayers. Compos Sci Technol 117:92–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Lakes RS (2002) High damping composite materials: effect of structural hierarchy. J Compos Mater 36:287–297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Shah DU (2013) Developing plant fibre composites for structural applications by optimising composite parameters: a critical review. J Mater Sci 48:6083–6107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Burgueno R, Quagliata M, Mehta GM, Mohanty AK, Misra M, Drzal LT (2005) Sustainable cellular biocomposites from natural fibers and unsaturated polyester resin for housing panel applications. J Polym Environ 13:139–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Burgueno R, Quagliata MJ, Mohanty AK, Mehta G, Drzal LT, Misra M (2004) Load-bearing natural fiber composite cellular beams and panels. Compos Part A-Appl Sci Manuf 35:645–656

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Misnon MI, Islam MM, Epaarachchi JA, Lau KT (2014) Potentiality of utilising natural textile materials for engineering composites applications. Mater Design 59:359–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Xia YY, Xian GJ, Kafodya I, Li H (2014) Compression behavior of concrete cylinders externally confined by flax fiber reinforced polymer sheets. Adv Struct Eng 17:1825–1833

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Ueda T et al (2014) Experiemtnal study on shear strenthening by flax fiber sheet jacketing. The 7th International Conference on FRP Composites in Civil Engineering, Vancouver, Canada

  52. Yan LB, Chouw N (2013) Experimental study of flax FRP tube encased coir fibre reinforced concrete composite column. Constr Build Mater 40:1118–1127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Codispoti R, Oliveira DV, Olivito RS, Lourenco PB, Fangueiro R (2015) Mechanical performance of natural fiber-reinforced composites for the strengthening of masonry. Compos Part B-Eng 77:74–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Cevallos OA, Olivito RS, Codispoti R, Ombres L (2015) Flax and polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole cementitious composites for the strengthening of masonry elements subjected to eccentric loading. Compos Part B-Eng 71:82–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The study was jointly supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) under Grant No. 2010CB631100; the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under Grant Nos. 11625210, 51178147 and 11172212; the AVIC Innovation Foundation; the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (grant number 0200219151) and the China-EU joint project GRAIN (GReener Aeronautics International Networking), which the authors gratefully acknowledge.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China

    Yan Li & Tao Yu

  2. National Key Laboratory of Advanced Composites, Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials, AVIC Composites Center, Beijing, 100095, China

    Xiaosu Yi

  3. School of Civil Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China

    Guijun Xian

Authors
  1. Yan Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xiaosu Yi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tao Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Guijun Xian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaosu Yi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, Y., Yi, X., Yu, T. et al. An overview of structural-functional-integrated composites based on the hierarchical microstructures of plant fibers. Adv Compos Hybrid Mater 1, 231–246 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-017-0020-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-017-0020-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation