A review on tribological performance of natural fibre polymeric composites

The incessant research into green substitutes for engineering applications since the turn of this century, has labelled this century as a ‘cellulosic century’. The current work attempts to dedicate a compilation of developments of research in tribological performance of natural fibre polymeric composites from year 2000 to June 2014. Information on natural fibres, polymers and their composites, and research on tribology developments will be presented. Typical adhesive wear mechanism for different types of composites and their performance on operating and test parameters will be discussed. Attempts are made to address the shortcomings from previous works as to pave the way for future research on science of tribology of polymeric composites. •We provided information on natural fibres, polymers and their composites.•We reviewed tribological developments of natural fibre polymeric composites.•We focussed on the adhesive wear of polymeric composites based on natural fibres.•We proposed future research on science of tribology on natural fibres and their composites.