Natural fiber-reinforced composites are finding new applications in many sectors. In certain industries, such as building and transport, reduced material flammability is a key requirement. Knowledge of the flammability of natural fiber-reinforced composites and the methods used to improve their fire resistance is necessary to ensure their use in these industries. The purpose of this review is to examine important aspects of the flammability of natural fiberreinforced composites and to outline some of the more recent strategies used to improve their fire performance.

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Boehmite alumina (BAl) was investigated in terms of its use as an filler to improve the inherent properties of polylactide (PLA). Composites of PLA with different loadings of BAl were prepared by melt-blending. Morphological analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the BAl particles were well dispersed at low BAl loading and BAl agglomeration was found at higher BAl loadings. The tensile testing showed significant improvements in strength (57%) and elongation at break with 3 wt % BAl loading, consistent with the homogeneous dispersion of BAl particles in PLA matrix. The BAl nanoparticle incorporation did not improve the thermal stability of PLA matrix but showed improvement in heat release rate in fire property test in cone calorimetry.

The study deals with chemical and flame retardant (FR) treatment of flax fabric. Sheets of flax fabric were subjected to chemical treatments using NaOH and silane coupling agents. A phosphate‐based flame retardant (DAP) was also applied to improve the flammability of the fabric. The effects of the chemical treatments and FR treatments on flax fabric were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vertical flame resistance test. Aging studies were carried out by exposing the samples in an environmental chamber at specified conditions for two weeks. The mechanical properties of the fabric, before and after environmental aging, were investigated. Flammability of flax fabric was improved after FR treatment. Thermal studies revealed a shift of decomposition temperature to lower temperatures and an increase in char residue after FR treatment. Despite treatment of the fabric with NaOH and silane, the tensile strength of FR‐treated flax fabric declined by more than 90% after aging for two weeks at 90 °C and 50% RH. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44175.