POTENTIALS OF KENAF FIBRE IN BIO-COMPOSITE PRODUCTION: A REVIEW

Abstract

Kenaf plants are blessing to mankind. Its high carbon dioxide (CO2) assimilation rate and ability to clean the air by consuming large quantities of CO2 and also absorbs nitrogen and phosphorous from the soil, which are the main cause of the greenhouse effect has made kenaf significant from the standpoint of environmental friendliness. Today kenaf fibres are envisioned as an alternative medium to replacing conventional materials or synthetic fibres as reinforcement in composites. The low cost, no health risk, low density, high strength and modulus, and availability of kenaf fibres in some countries has made it befitting for use in composites production. This review presents the potential and recent developments of kenaf fibre and its composites. Recommendations for future work are also made.