Methods to increase the mechanical performance of composite adhesive joints: An overview with focus on joints with natural fibre composite adherends

This paper presents an overview of the recent developments in the main methods used to increase the mechanical performance of composite adhesive joints with focus on joints with natural fibre reinforced composite (NFRC) adherends. First, the main factors that affect the performance of composite adhesive joints were briefly discussed. Further, the main methods used to increase the mechanical performance of natural fibre-reinforced composite adhesive joints are presented. Since, the literature regarding these methods applied to NFRC adherends is relatively scarce, in addition, promising techniques applied to synthetic fibre-reinforced composite joints, which behave in a similar manner and whose results can be extrapolated with a great deal of confidence to NFRCs are also briefly discussed. Finally, some conclusions and an outlook on critical challenges and future perspectives are summarized. The application of sustainable green composites may further increase in many structural and non-structural applications if their joining behaviour is well-known and established.