naturat fiber

J Polym Environ (2007) 15:25–33
DOI 10.1007/s10924-006-0042-3

ORIGINAL PAPER

Chemical Treatments of Natural Fiber for Use in Natural
Fiber-Reinforced Composites: A Review
Xue Li Æ Lope G. Tabil Æ Satyanarayan Panigrahi

Published online: 4 January 2007
Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2006

Abstract Studies on the use of natural fibers as replacement to man-made fiber in fiber-reinforced composites have increased and opened up further industrial possibilities. Natural fibers have the advantages of low density, low cost, and biodegradability.
However, the main disadvantages of natural fibers in composites are the poor compatibility between fiber and matrix and the relative high moisture sorption.
Therefore, chemical treatments are considered in modifying the fiber surface properties.
In this paper, the different chemical modifications on natural fibers for use in natural fiber-reinforced composites are reviewed. Chemical treatments including alkali, silane, acetylation, benzoylation, acrylation, maleated coupling agents, isocyanates, permanganate and others are discussed. The chemical treatment of fiber aimed at improving the adhesion between the fiber surface and the polymer matrix may not only modify the fiber surface but also increase fiber strength. Water absorption of composites is reduced and their mechanical properties are improved.
Keywords Fiber-reinforced composites Á Natural fiber Á Chemical modifications Á Chemical coupling agents Á Surface treatments

X. Li Á L. G. Tabil (&) Á S. Panigrahi
Department of Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering,
University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon,
SK, Canada S7N 5A9 e-mail: [e-mail]
X. Li e-mail: [e-mail]
S. Panigrahi e-mail: [e-mail]

Introduction
Processing of plastic composites using natural fibers as reinforcement has increased dramatically in recent years [1–5]. Fiber-reinforced composites consist of fiber as reinforcement

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