Advances in Kenaf Fibre Reinforced Biocomposites: Processing Techniques, Performance Optimisation, and Future Research Directions

Authors

• Thomas Adedayo Ayorinde, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria; AND Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, NigeriaFollow
• Tamba Jamiru, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, South AfricaFollow
• Peet F Le Roux, Department of Electrical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, South AfricaFollow
• Basiru Philip Aramide, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa AND Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, NigeriaFollow
• Oluwafemi Emmanuel Ogundahunsi, Abiola Ajumobi Technical University, Ibadan, Oyo State, NigeriaFollow

Keywords

Kenaf fibre composites, Natural fibre reinforced polymers, Kenaf surface treatment, Kenaf fibre extraction, Kenaf biocomposites processing

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Kenaf fibre-reinforced composites have attracted considerable interest lately as eco-friendly materials due to their light weight, renewability, degradability, and favourable specific mechanical properties. Despite the advances already achieved in natural fibre composites, the commercial-scale use of kenaf-based composites has been hindered by variations in raw material quality, moisture sensitivity, interphase degradation, thermal instability, and other processing issues. This review critically assesses the morphology, reinforcement behaviour, fibre extraction methods, surface treatments, manufacturing processes, and characterisation techniques employed for kenaf fibre-reinforced composites within the framework of performance and sustainability. The study shows that no extraction and manufacturing process simultaneously optimises fibre integrity, interfacial compatibility, scalability, durability and environmental sustainability. Alkali, silane, and hybrid surface treatments improve stress transfer efficiency and moisture resistance, but their severity can damage fibre structure and reliability. High-throughput manufacturing methods improve scalability but cause fibre degradation, shortening, and porosity. The review further discusses the application of advanced characterisation techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and micro-computed tomography, to provide critical insight into the interfacial behaviour, crystallinity, thermal stability, and defect evolution in kenaf composites. However, the long-term durability assessment under cyclic environmental exposure, fatigue loading and thermo-mechanical ageing is still not sufficiently investigated. This review provides an integrated structure–processing–performance framework for analysing kenaf composites and highlights critical scientific and industrial bottlenecks hindering their large-scale implementation. Standardised fibre grading systems, durability-oriented testing protocols, environmentally sustainable surface treatments, and intelligent manufacturing strategies that can improve the reliability, scalability, and structural performance of kenaf fibre-reinforced composite systems will be required for future progress.

Recommended Citation

Ayorinde, Thomas Adedayo; Jamiru, Tamba; Roux, Peet F Le; Aramide, Basiru Philip; and Ogundahunsi, Oluwafemi Emmanuel (2026) "Advances in Kenaf Fibre Reinforced Biocomposites: Processing Techniques, Performance Optimisation, and Future Research Directions," Engineering and Technology Journal: Vol. 44: Iss. 6, Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30684/2412-0758.1568

DOI

10.30684/2412-0758.1568

First Page

184

Last Page

211