Polyurethane/natural fiber composites: a review

This paper reviews polyurethane/natural fiber composites. Polyurethane PUR is one of most versatile and useful polymers. It can be a thermoplastic (TP) and a thermoset (TS). PUR is different from other polymers. The urethane represents a small percentage in the polyurethane. The main components of PUR are polyols and isocyanates. Polyols represent the soft segment and isocyanates represent the hard segment. Polyols can be derived from petroleum and renewable sources. Previous researchers have reinforced PUR with hard wood fibers and nano fibrils, empty fruit bunch EFB in a powder and mat form, rice husk, hybrid EFB and kaolinite, flax and jute fibers. This kind of reinforcement enhanced certain properties in the PUR. Natural fibers can play a major role in reinforcing PUR.