Abstract


A complete survey of natural fibres that includes adiscussion of all the different classifications of plant fibres would includefar too much material for one article so some of the commercially importantfibres have been selected for consideration. Although there is no profound relationshipbetween the origin of fibres and their mechanical properties, bast fibrespossess the lowest microfibril angle and, on average, best mechanicalproperties. Physical and mechanical properties of plant fibres differ from onetype to another leading to differences in end use performance. There is astrong relationship between the fine structure of plant fibres and theirmechanical properties. Plant fibres are an alternative resource to syntheticfibres as reinforcement for polymeric materials for the manufacture of cheap,renewable and environmentally friendly composites.


Keywords: Plant fibres, cellulosics, properties, applications




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About the Author


The author is associated with the Department of EngineeringMaterials, College of Engineering and Technology, Tanzania.