Abstract

In recent years, due to the depletion of the non-renewable resources and increasing environmental consciousness,
the researchers are working to develop biodegradable materials as a newer material for replacement of synthetic
materials. The increasing demand for greener is advancing towards the innovations of natural fiber reinforced
polymer based composites. The current focus of the commercial aerospace composites industry is on thermoset
based composites for a number of reasons. The biodegradability of the natural fibers is considered as the most
important and interesting aspects of their utilization in polymeric materials apart from their advantages like
low-density, abundant availability, biodegradability, corrosion resistivity, low-cost, and non-abrasive processing
characteristics. These advantages of the natural fiber reinforced composites support their potential across a wide
range of applications in constructions and buildings, automotive, railway coaches, marine, aerospace, military,
sports and packaging industries. However, these natural fibers have relatively poor moisture resistance, fiber
wetting, and its adhesion to the matrix, which is affecting mechanical properties of Natural fiber reinforced
composites. Fiber surface treatment and hybridization are two important mean to enhance the properties of the
natural fiber reinforced thermoset composites. The mechanical properties of a natural fiber reinforced composite
depend on parameters like fiber strength, fiber length, chemical treatment and orientation in addition to fiber-
matrix interfacial bond strength. This review article aims at illumination about the research and development
in the improvement of mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced thermoset composites along with end
applications.