EFFECT OF ESTERIFICATION ON MOISTURE ABSORPTION OF SINGLE ARECA FIBER

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.