EFFECT OF ESTERIFICATION ON MOISTURE ABSORPTION OF SINGLE ARECA FIBER

Abstract

Environmentally beneficial composites can be made by replacing synthetic fibers with various types of cellulose fibers. The most important factor in finding good fiber reinforcement in the composite is the strength of adhesion between matrix polymer and fiber. Due to the presence of hydroxide and other polar groups in various constituents of natural fiber, the moisture absorption is high which leads to poor wettability and weak interfacial bonding between fibers and the more hydrophobic matrices. Therefore, it is necessary to impart hydrophobic nature to the natural fibers by suitable chemical treatments in order to develop composites with better mechanical properties. In the present work, the effect of esterification on the moisture absorption property of single areca fiber has been investigated. Introduction Agro-based resources, also referred to as lignocellulosics, are resources that contain cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. Ligno-cellulosics include wood, agricultural residues, water plants, grasses, and other plant substances. Fiber technology, high performance adhesives, and fiber surface modification utilized natural fibers in the fabrication of structural lignocellulosic composites and reported that these natural fibers-reinforced composites possess better chemical resistance, electrical resistance, good thermal and acoustic insulating properties, and high resistance to fracture. This has stimulated the use of hard natural cellulose fibers as an attractive alternative to synthetic fibers because of their low cost, less weight, and density. High moisture absorption, poor wettability, and poor fiber-matrix adhesion are the major drawbacks of natural fiber reinforced composite materials. A better adhesion between hydrophilic fiber and hydrophobic matrix, and enhanced mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced composite materials can be achieved by suitable chemical modification of natural fiber. In the case of lignocellu