Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibers: new emerging natural fibre and its relevant properties, treatments and potential applications

Abstract

The key factors influencing the widespread acceptance of natural fibres as green materials are due to the quick depletion of petroleum resources and the growing awareness of environmental issues associated to the usage of conventional plastics. Due to their eco-friendly and sustainable, natural fibres have garnered the interest of scientists. Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) tree is cultivated in tropical regions and is thought to hold promise as a source of natural fibres. The potential use of fibres derived from the sugar palm in a number of applications has been studied especially as composites materials. Investigations into these fibres on it potential uses have been conducted. Treatments of fibres is one of the important elements to increase the useability of this fibre. However, there is a problem regarding the inconsistent data reported by previous authors on experimental methods and the values of mechanical and physical properties. Therefore, it is now vital to organise data that would be helpful in the design of this fibre so that researchers may make wise choices regarding future study and application. Present review focuses on recent works related to properties of sugar palm fibers, fibers modification and their fabrication as green composites. The review also unveils the potential of sugar palm fibers and polymer for advanced industrial applications such as automotive, defense, packaging, and others. Many manufacturing sectors are focusing on using natural resources, particularly fiber-rich plants, for the production of polymer composites as a result of environmental protection, the use of renewable resources, and product biodegradability. This tendency has led to the substitution of plant fibers for synthetic fibers as reinforcement in polymer mixtures. Natural fibers are now prioritized in the composite industry due to economics and their superior properties, which have persuaded many industrial sectors to use synthetic fibers to reinforce plastics.

Keywords

• Sugar palm
• Natural fibres
• Cellulose
• Nanocellulose
• Composites materials
• Application