Thermoplastic composites reinforced chemically modified kenaf fibre: current progress on mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties

Many researchers are searching for viable substitutes for the highly polluting synthetic plastics/fibres, driven by the depletion of petroleum crude and the environmental risks posed by petroleum-based polymers. Hence, there is a mounting interest in the utilization of natural materials especially the reinforcement materials. This is because the use of lignocellulose derived from natural fibres is seen to be intriguing. Natural fibres have been found to have both economic and ecological advantages over their synthetic counterparts. In this aspect, several natural fibres have been used as substitutes for the synthetic based fibres in thermoplastic composites. This review focuses on the utilization kenaf fibre as a reinforcement material in thermoplastic based composite materials. Emphasis is given on the fibre structure, properties, chemical modification, and mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties. Kenaf fibre-based thermoplastics composites have emerged as a potential substitute for various synthetic fibre-based thermoset composites, thereby contributing to the development of environmentally friendly composite materials. This review further deals with the optimization of its mechanical and dynamic features which is crucial for various applications. This review also presents a comprehensive evaluation of the current state-of-the-art characterizations on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical performance of these composites.