Quick Search Adv. Search

Journal of Bionic Engineering ›› 2020, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (1): 185-205.doi: 10.1007/s42235-020-0015-6

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Physical, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Areca Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites – An Overview

Tamil Moli Loganathan1, Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan1,2,3*, Mohammad Jawaid2*, Ain Umaira Md Shah1,2,Qumrul Ahsan4, Manohar Mariapan5, Mohd Shukry bin Abdul Majid6   

  1. 1. Department of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang,
    Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
    2. Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP),
    Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
    3. Aerospace Malaysia Innovation Centre (944751-A), Prime Minister’s Department, MIGHT Partnership Hub,
    Jalan Impact, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
    4. Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya,
    76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia
    5. Department of Science Park and Recreation, Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang,
    Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
    6. School of Mechatronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Pauh Putra Campus, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia 

  • Received:2019-06-28 Revised:2019-11-19 Accepted:2019-11-27 Online:2020-01-10 Published:2020-01-21
  • Contact: Mohammad Jawaid, Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan E-mail:jawaid_md@yahoo.co.in, thariq@upm.edu.my
  • About author:Tamil Moli Loganathan1, Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan1,2,3*, Mohammad Jawaid2*, Ain Umaira Md Shah1,2,Qumrul Ahsan4, Manohar Mariapan5, Mohd Shukry bin Abdul Majid6

Abstract: Areca catechu, is a species of palm belonging to the family of Arecaceae/Palmae, grows vertically, to the height of 10 m to 20 m, the
stem is straight, solitary and slender, 10 cm to 15 cm in diameter, with marks of annulated scars of fallen leaf sheaths. Areca fibres are
predominantly extracted not only from the fruit as areca husk, but also from leaf stalks and fronds. In this review paper, areca fibre is
compared with those of other representative species of the Arecaceae/Palmae family, such as the coconut tree and the palm tree, in terms of physical and mechanical properties. This review article also discusses the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of areca fibre and its composites. The review of known published data reveals that, while areca fibre has the potential to be used as an alternative reinforcement in polymer composites. Besides, it has been also noticed that some other species from the family of Arecaceae/Palmae have not been explored as natural fibre reinforcement in polymer composites either, thus revealing further options of natural alternative reinforcement to be investigated with regard to their potential to be used in fibre based composites for the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries.

Key words: natural fibres, areca, mechanical properties, surface treatment, hybrid composites