Thermoset and thermoplastic polymer composites reinforced with flax fiber: Properties and application—A review

Abstract

Flax fibers are a viable material for creating sustainable composites since they have mechanical qualities similar to those of synthetic fibers. Because of their unique hydrophilicity and strong mechanical properties, flax fibers should be taken into specific attention while creating composite materials. Vegetable fibers like flax are highly versatile and are frequently utilized in structural composites. Additionally, flax has shown potential in a variety of other uses, including as shipping, automotive, aerospace, and construction. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of advancement in flax fiber reinforcement composite research. The most important research on thermoset and thermoplastic composites reinforced with flax fiber is compiled and analyzed in this article. This article also summarizes the main properties of flax fibers, discusses chemically enhancing their qualities, explains the process of making and analyzing flax fiber composites, and identifies areas that require more research. The article concludes with a few critical ideas and future directions that emphasize the challenges that need to be handled in more in‐depth research and probable composites industrialization.Highlights Flax fibers: Structure, composition, and extraction techniques explored. Polymer matrices in flax fiber composites: Types and processing methods. Mechanical properties of thermoset and thermoplastic flax fiber reinforced composites. Applications of flax fiber composites in automotive, construction, and aerospace. Future potential of flax fiber and hybrid composites in advanced materials.