Application of mechanical model for natural fibre reinforced polymer composites

Mechanical models were often used to describe and predict synthetic fibre reinforced thermosetting polymers. However, natural fibre reinforced thermoplastic polymers were less mentioned. In this paper, the application of mathematical methods in natural fibre-polymer composite was reviewed. Typical mechanical models, such as the rule of mixtures, inverse rule of mixtures and Hirsch models, were presented. The advantages and disadvantages of each model were pointed out. Finally, a flax-wood-polypropylene composite was taken as an example. Some models were compared to describe this composite.