Wear and erosion performance of metal mesh-reinforced natural fiber hybrid composites—a critical review

Abstract Composites made of natural fibers and polymers are a new, environmentally friendly option for many industrial and construction processes, including those in the transportation, aerospace, marine, and civil engineering industries. They are attractive options for lightweight structural components due to their intrinsic qualities, which include low density, biodegradability, and cost-effectiveness. The development of micro-cracks, moisture sensitivity, and weak fiber-matrix adhesion limit their practical use in situations prone to wear and erosion because these factors decrease their durability and reliability. Mesh reinforcements made of metals like stainless steel, copper, or aluminum are becoming more popular as a solution to these problems. Mechanical and tribological properties are improved when metallic meshes are embedded in the composite matrix. This occurs because the meshes improve interfacial bonding, promote uniform stress transfer, and effectively control fracture propagation. Adding nanoscale reinforcements, which have self-lubricating and crack-arresting properties, can further improve the material by creating synergistic strengthening at different sizes. Important design aspects, including as the mesh arrangement, fiber orientation, stacking sequence, and hierarchical interaction amongst reinforcements, determine the extent to which performance is improved. Recent advances in the study of fiber-metal mesh hybrid composites’ tribological and erosional behavior are examined in this review, which aims to shed light on the main processes involved, including fiber pull-out, matrix cracking, crack bridging, and load transfer over metallic networks. The study also details future directions involving hybrid multi-scale designs, engineered fiber-mesh interfaces, and predictive modeling strategies to achieve superior and long-lasting tribological performance, and it highlights their potential applications in high-performance sectors like braking systems, marine components, protective coatings, and structural reinforcements.