Wood versus Plant Fibers: Similarities and Differences in Composite Applications

Table 1

Chemical composition and ultrastructure of wood and plant fibers.

	Chemical composition			Ultrastructure		Reference
	Cellulose; (% w/w)	Hemicellulose; (% w/w)	Lignin; (% w/w)	Microfibril angle; (degrees)	Cellulose crystallinity; (% w/w)
Wood fibers
Spruce	49	20	29		67	[25]
Pine	42	29	28		57	[26]
Pine (kraft pulp)	76				68	[27]
Cedar	44	21	30		57	[28]
Balsa	48	28	22		56	[26]
Birch	41	32	22		54	[26]
Poplar	39	28	30		54	[28]
Soft wood				3–50		[12]
Plant fibers
Hemp	63	10	6		96	[25]
Hemp	64	14	3		94	[29]
Hemp (retted)	74	12	5		92	[20]
Hemp (scutched)	66	15	5		98	[29]
Flax (cottonized)	76	14	2		88	[29]
Hemp (textile)	91	7	2			[14]
Hemp and flax				6–10		[13]