Studies on durability of sustainable biobased composites: a review

Abstract

Global concerns over environmental issues have led to a tremendous growth in sustainable materials emerging from biobased plastics and their composites (biocomposites). This class of materials can be an alternative to traditional composite materials to reduce the carbon footprint and strain on the environment. Many studies and reviews have been focused on enhancing the mechanical performance of biocomposites with the aim for them to compete with traditional composites and expand their applications. However, the current scientific knowledge relating to the long-term durability performance of biocomposites is very limited in open access literature. Studies of the effects of different aging mechanisms when subjected to different service conditions and environments on the biocomposites' behaviours are needed. This review provides a focused discussion on the overview of the long-term durability performance and degradation behaviour under various aging environments (thermo-oxidative aging, accelerated weathering (ultraviolet aging), hydrolytic degradation, fatigue and creep, etc.) of the commercially important biobased-composites for the first time. Future perspectives and methods to improve the durability performance of biocomposites are also discussed in this review.