STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Journal of Materials & Metallurgical Engineering Original Research

Comparative Analysis of Natural and Synthetic Fibre-Reinforced Composites: Mechanical Properties, Processing, and Sustainability Considerations

  1. Gurushanth B Vaggar Department of Mechanical Engineering, Alva’s Institute of Engineering and Technology, Moodbidri
  2. Ananthesh D Kamath Department of Mechanical Engineering, Alva’s Institute of Engineering and Technology, Moodbidri
  3. Elvin Chris DSouza Department of Mechanical Engineering, Alva’s Institute of Engineering and Technology, Moodbidri
  4. Shyam Department of Mechanical Engineering, Alva’s Institute of Engineering and Technology, Moodbidri
  5. Pradeep Department of Mechanical Engineering, Alva’s Institute of Engineering and Technology, Moodbidri

Abstract

The development of fibre-reinforced composites has significantly advanced engineering applications due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and versatility. Synthetic fibres such as glass and carbon provide superior mechanical performance, but their production is energy-intensive and environmentally harmful. Natural fibres, including jute, flax, banana, and hemp, offer biodegradability, lower cost, and sustainability benefits, though they often fall short in strength and durability. Hybrid composites frequently demonstrate improved performance by combining the strength of synthetic fibres with the eco-friendly characteristics of natural fibres. Sustainability considerations reveal that the use of natural fibres can reduce costs and environmental impacts by up to 30%, highlighting their growing relevance in aerospace, automotive, and civil engineering. This paper consolidates findings from ten key studies, emphasizing mechanical properties, processing methods, and sustainability perspectives. Future research directions in fibre treatment, matrix modification, and recycling are also discussed.

Keywords

References (20)

  1. Syath Abuthakeer S, Vasudaa R, Nizamudeen A. Application of Natural Fiber Composites in Engineering Industries: A Comparative Study. Applied Mechanics and Materials. 2016;854:59-64. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.854.59" rel="nofollow">doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.854.59
  2. Adhikary SK, Rudzionis Z. Behavior of Concrete under the Addition of High Volume of Polyolefin Macro Fiber and Fly Ash. Fibers. 2018;6(2):38. doi:10.3390/fib6020038
  3. Al-Oraimi SK, Seibi AC. Mechanical characterisation and impact behaviour of concrete reinforced with natural fibres. Composite Structures. 1995;32(1-4):165-171. doi:10.1016/0263-8223(95)00043-7
  4. Bambach MR. Direct Comparison of the Structural Compression Characteristics of Natural and Synthetic Fiber-Epoxy Composites: Flax, Jute, Hemp, Glass and Carbon Fibers. Fibers. 2020;8(10):62. doi:10.3390/fib8100062
  5. Begum S, Fawzia S, Hashmi MSJ. Polymer matrix composite with natural and synthetic fibres. Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies. 2020;6(3):547-564. doi:10.1080/2374068x.2020.1728645
  6. Cavalcanti D, Banea M, Neto J, Lima R. Comparative analysis of the mechanical and thermal properties of polyester and epoxy natural fibre-reinforced hybrid composites. Journal of Composite Materials. 2020;55(12):1683-1692. doi:10.1177/0021998320976811
  7. Chakraborty S, Kundu SP, Roy A, Basak RK, Adhikari B, Majumder SB. Improvement of the mechanical properties of jute fibre reinforced cement mortar: A statistical approach. Construction and Building Materials. 2013;38:776-784. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.09.067
  8. Deb S, Mitra N, Maitra S, Basu Majumdar S. Comparison of Mechanical Performance and Life Cycle Cost of Natural and Synthetic Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. 2020;32(6). doi:10.1061/(asce)mt.1943-5533.0003219
  9. Halvaei M, Jamshidi M, Latifi M. Application of low modulus polymeric fibers in engineered cementitious composites. Journal of Industrial Textiles. 2012;43(4):511-524. doi:10.1177/1528083712465881
  10. Husainie SM, Khattak SU, Robinson J, Naguib HE. A Comparative Study on the Mechanical Properties of Different Natural Fiber Reinforced Free-Rise Polyurethane Foam Composites. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. 2020;59(50):21745-21755. doi:10.1021/acs.iecr.0c04006
  11. Ilankeeran PK, Mohite PM, Kamle S. Axial Tensile Testing of Single Fibres. Modern Mechanical Engineering. 2012;02(04):151-156. doi:10.4236/mme.2012.24020
  12. Mishra R, Wiener J, Militky J, Petru M, Tomkova B, Novotna J. Bio-Composites Reinforced with Natural Fibers: Comparative Analysis of Thermal, Static and Dynamic-Mechanical Properties. Fibers and Polymers. 2020;21(3):619-627. doi:10.1007/s12221-020-9804-0
  13. Roy A, Chakraborty S, Kundu SP, Basak RK, Basu Majumder S, Adhikari B. Improvement in mechanical properties of jute fibres through mild alkali treatment as demonstrated by utilisation of the Weibull distribution model. Bioresource Technology. 2012;107:222-228. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.11.073
  14. Zhou X, Ghaffar SH, Dong W, Oladiran O, Fan M. Fracture and impact properties of short discrete jute fibre-reinforced cementitious composites. Materials & Design. 2013;49:35-47. doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2013.01.029
  15. Rajamurugu N, Karthikeyan P, Aakash A, Meshak AA, Ajithkumar K. Comparative Study On Mechanical Behaviour Of Synthetic, Natural And Hybrid Composite Laminates. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 2020;923(1):012048. doi:10.1088/1757-899x/923/1/012048
  16. Badyankal PV, Manjunatha TS, Vaggar GB, Praveen KC. Compression and water absorption behaviour of banana and sisal hybrid fiber polymer composites. Materials Today: Proceedings. 2021;35:383-386. doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2020.02.695
  17. Sanjay MR, Arpitha GR and Yogesha B. Study on mechanical properties of natural – glass fibre reinforced polymer hybrid composites: a review. Mater Today Proc2015; 2: 2959–2967.
  18. Madhu P, Sanjay MR, Senthamaraikannan P, et al. A review on synthesis and characterization of commercially available natural fibers: part-I. J Nat Fibers 2019; 16:1132–1144.
  19. Ahmadova, Arzu. (2018). Numerical Modelling of porosity generation, movement, and compaction during the RTM process.
  20. Shi Y, Wang B, Du K, Liu Y, Kang R, Wang S, et al. Process Monitoring for Vacuum-Assisted Resin Infusion by Using Carbon Nanotube-Based Sensors. Polymers. 2025;17(4):459. doi:10.3390/polym17040459
Support