A material centric review to enhance the thermal resistance and stability of natural fiber polymer composites supported by patent landscape analysis

Abstract

High temperature resistance and thermal stability are the significant characteristics of the polymeric materials which are employed in elevated temperature applications. Such resistance and stability of the polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers are measured using their degradation temperature and residual masses. Polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers like jute, sisal, or banana might be assessed for their thermal stability using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The thermal behaviour of the natural fiber reinforced composites depends on the nature and origin of the natural fibers, their hybridization and application. The thermal resistance of sisal composites can be further increased through chemical treatments. While individual natural fiber composites break down at relatively low temperatures, polymer-based hybrid systems can increase stability to higher temperatures. Decomposition temperatures varied for the fiber-reinforced composites, with the range being affected by additives, matrix type, and fiber type. Addition of natural fillers to the natural fiber composites and the cellulose-based nanocomposites exhibit better thermal stability owing to their scalability factor. An examination of the WIPO patent database reveals an increasing focus on TGA in creating bio-based composites that are thermally stable and flame-retardant. This review caters the material scientists working on natural fiber composites to understand the thermal behaviour of various natural fiber composites and hybrid composites based on the aforesaid parameters. With the help of International Patent Classification (IPC) codes, TGA will play an increasingly important role in the study of composite materials in the future.