Effect of moisture on natural fibre reinforced plastics

Abstract

In this research, the rate of moisture absorption of the composites reinforced with natural fibres – Ukam plant fibres (chochlostermum placoni) were studied and determined.Composite cubes and plates of different sizes were prepared, then immersed in water for 24 hours at room temperature in order to determine the extent of moisture
absorbtion. This was found to be relatively lower for longitudinal arrangement of fibres compared to transverse arrangement. It was observed that the Longitudinal and transverse moisture expansion coefficients were 0.496 and 0.644 respectively.

Keywords: Composites, Natural Fibre, Matrix, Absorption, Moisture Expansion  Coefficients.