Effect of hybridization and chemical modification on the water-absorption behavior of banana fiber-reinforced polyester composites

The water sorption characteristics of banana fiber-reinforced polyester composites were studied by immersion in distilled water at 28, 50, 70, and 90degreesC. The effect of hybridization with glass fiber and the chemical modification of the fiber on the water absorption properties of the prepared composites were also evaluated. In the case of hybrid composites, water uptake decreased with increase of glass fiber content. In the case of chemically modified fiber composites, water uptake was found to be dependent on the chemical treatment done on the fiber surface. Weight change profiles of the composites at higher temperature indicated that the diffusion is close to Fickian. The water absorption showed a multistage mechanism in all cases at lower temperatures. Chemical modification was found to affect the water uptake of the composite. Among the treated composites the lowest water uptake was observed for composites treated with silane A1100. Finally, parameters like diffusion, sorption, and permeability coefficients were determined. It was observed that equilibrium water uptake is dependent on the nature of the composite and temperature. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.