Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) fibre based bio-materials: A review on processing and properties

The non-wood plants became an alternative solution or source of fibrous material in this millennium due to increasing population and industrialization along with better education. In a view to reduce the cost of production and the harmful destruction of our environment, so many research work has been carried out and still ongoing as to the possibility of using natural fibres for the development of high performance engineering products. It is for the reason that this paper is geared through reviewing the published results and brings out converging problems associated with kenaf; a very important natural fibre with favourable mechanical properties and insight into the use of composite reinforcement has been addressed. The overview of the developments made in the area of kenaf fibre reinforced composites in terms of their market, manufacturing methods, matrix combinations, environmental effects, chemical treatments, physical properties, and fracture characteristics are addressed. Several critical issues and suggestions for future work are discussed, for the bright future of this bio-based material through value addition to enhance its use. Emphases are given on the summary of the literature and presentation of the effect of the kenaf fibres on the final products. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.