Review: Green composites for structural applications

Natural fiber reinforced green composites (NFRGCs) have been widely researched by scientists and engineers alike, in the past 2–3 decades, for their applicability in different industrial sectors due to their sustainable nature. They also have environmentally beneficial characteristics such as biodegradability that can reduce the landfill loads and lead to significant reduction in carbon foot-print. Even advanced industrial sectors such as aerospace and automotive, have tried using natural fiber reinforced composites in critical applications to promote sustainable technologies. Considering these positive standpoints, current review has been designed to provide a brief summary of the mechanical responses of different types of NFRGCs made using green, biodegradable resins and their commercial practicability in primary and secondary structural applications. In view of the major research areas till date, NFRGCs discussed in this review have been primarily categorized based on the fiber-resin combinations used along with sub-categories that describe important mechanical properties. The review gives a strong and holistic outlook about the potential of NFRGCs and advanced green composites for use as structural materials. The information regarding the different fiber-resin combinations and the properties they exhibit forms a major database for the selection of green structural materials or for conducting advanced research. The review is also meant to provide motivating ideas and important conclusions to manufacturers and engineers on designing next generation NFRGCs based structural products for a variety of applications.