IRO Journals
Recent Research Reviews Journal

Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: A Review of Material Systems, Computational Optimization and Additive Manufacturing

Open Access
Published: 29 June, 2026
Pages: 170-186
  • Ganesh N. , Ganesh N.
    Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Trichy, India
    Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Trichy, India
  • Manikandaraja G. , Manikandaraja G.
    Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Trichy, India
    Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Trichy, India
  • Balasundaram R. Balasundaram R.
    Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Trichy, India
    Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Trichy, India
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How to Cite

N., Ganesh, Manikandaraja G., and Balasundaram R. 2026. “Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites: A Review of Material Systems, Computational Optimization and Additive Manufacturing”. Recent Research Reviews Journal 5 (1): 170-86. https://doi.org/10.36548/rrrj.2026.1.011.
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Keywords

Natural Fiber Composites
Hybrid Composites
Computational Optimization
Response Surface Methodology (RSM)
Additive Manufacturing
Sustainable Materials

Abstract

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs) are characterized by low density, biodegradability, renewability, and favorable mechanical properties, making them promising alternatives to traditional synthetic composites. This article reviews recent advances in NFRPCs published from 2019 to 2025, investigating novel materials systems, computational optimization methods and additive manufacturing processes. The studies that have been analyzed and reviewed are divided into single-fiber, hybrid-fiber, filler-modified, and surface-treated composite systems; their impacts on mechanical, thermal, durability properties as well as moisture-resistance properties are critically analyzed. Manuscripts focusing on fiber surface treatments, hybrid reinforcement approaches and matrix selection are highlighted for improving composite properties. This review also thoroughly investigates the application of computational approaches such as Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Taguchi design-based approach, and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) for performance prediction and process optimization. In addition, the paper reviews recent developments and innovations in 3D printing technologies related to additive manufacturing such as stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), vat photopolymerization (VPP) and LCD-based printing towards sustainable composite fabrication. Several challenges, including moisture sensitivity, long-term durability and process standardization were identified, along with future opportunities such as integration of artificial intelligence-driven material design and sustainable processing of high-performance natural fiber composites.

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