Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

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Effect of moisture absorption on the properties of natural fiber

reinforced polymer composites: A review
Awasthi Aditya Bachchan a, Partha Pratim Das a, Vijay Chaudhary a,⇑
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201313, India

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: In this modern era, the world is deteriorating as there is an increase in pollution. It is not only giving rise
Received 29 October 2020 to global warming but also deteriorate our water bodies most of which is contributed by the factories and
Received in revised form 26 January 2021 industries. The synthetic fibers are also made in such type of industries. Synthetic fibers which are made
Accepted 28 February 2021
from long-chain linking of hydrocarbons are made in such factories only which add to this pollution by
Available online xxxx
fishing their hazardous waste into the water bodies. To cope up with this problem we should look for bet-
ter alternatives and natural fibers are the best alternative to the toxic synthetic fibers. They are
Keywords:
biodegradable, they do not pollute the environment in any way or the other, they have good tensile
Mechanical properties
Moisture absorption
strength, they are durable, and they have high mechanical, thermal and tribological properties. The
Tribological properties mechanical properties consist of tensile strength, impact strength, compressive strength e.t.c. and tribo-
Natural fibers logical properties show the wear and tear or the abrasive properties of the material. The natural fibers are
long-lasting but when extracted by different medium and different methods show different characteris-
tics in presence of moisture. Different natural fibers have different moisture absorption rates and differ-
ent behaviour after moisture absorption. This present study is done to review the effect of moisture
absorption on the properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites.
Ó 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the National Conference on
Functional Materials: Emerging Technologies and Applications in Materials Science.

1. Introduction marine animals. In this modern scenario, there has been numerous
research and study for the search for a substitute for synthetic
Since the beginning of civilization, man has used fibres in one or fibres [1]. The synthetic fibres we use like nylon, polyester, terylene
the other form. From clothes to ropes fibres were used in many are best known for their durability and strength (Fig. 1).
forms. In early days natural fibres extracted from plants stem As the use of the synthetic fibre is increasing there is an increase
and leaf were used by the people in their daily lives. As time passed in the amount of pollution caused in their production processes
there was development in technology. New techniques and fibres which is increasing the necessity of such fibre which are eco-
were developed which made a rise in the production of synthetic friendly as well as are durable enough to replace the synthetic
fibres [1]. Synthetic fibres were preferred over natural fibres to fibres [3]. There have studies being carried out for the investigation
their durability and strength [2]. The synthetic fibres like nylon, of properties of fibres which make them reliable enough so that
polyester does not wear off easily and the ropes made by them they can replace the synthetic fibres. They are cheaper and abun-
are hard to break. They do not degrade which make them harmful dant as well as they do not hamper the environment. Their yield
to nature as well as the process through which they have produced of fibers is less when extracted by the chemical method as com-
causes pollution in many ways. The water bodies situate near the pared to natural process like retting [4]. Flexural and tensile tests
production facilities are used as a dump yard for the harmful were performed on jowar, sisal and bamboo reinforced composites
chemicals drained by the factories which give rise to phenomenon and it was concluded that since jowar is greater in terms of
such as eutrophication hence poisoning the water and killing the strength and rigidity so it can be used with polymer matrix for
lightweight applications [5]. Natural fibers can even be used for
⇑ Corresponding author. electrical isolations. Vakka fibres due to their lightweight, surplus
E-mail address: [email protected] (V. Chaudhary). availability, economic cost and adequate dielectric strength can

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.02.812
2214-7853/Ó 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the National Conference on Functional Materials: Emerging Technologies and Applications in
Materials Science.

Please cite this article as: Awasthi Aditya Bachchan, Partha Pratim Das and V. Chaudhary, Effect of moisture absorption on the properties of natural fiber
reinforced polymer composites: A review, Materials Today: Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.02.812
Awasthi Aditya Bachchan, Partha Pratim Das and V. Chaudhary Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

of 16% provides a value of 16.12 MPa of tensile 13.25 MPa of impact

Fibres swells after moisture and 53.53 MPa of flexural strength which is 15% greater than banana
absorption & matrix empty fruit and 12.3% more than epoxy composite with woven
microcrack around swollen banana. There is an increase in 16% of tensile strength and 4%
fibres
increase in flexural strength after addition of sisal. The study of
moisture absorption characteristics of hybrid composite shows that
the least moisture uptake is by 50:50 hybrid composite. Hu et al. [17]
investigated the ageing behaviour of polylactide composite mate-
Ultimate fibre matrix Capiliary mechanism-
water molecules flow along rial/short jute fiber under hygrothermal environment. The ageing
debonding the fibre-matrix interface was performed for a sample with a coating of adhesive tape and
uncoated sample in saturated vapour at 70 °C. During ageing, the
rate of moisture absorption was measured. It was found that the
moisture absorption rate of a natural fiber was a three-stage process.

water soluble subsatnces  Short and quick

leach from fibres  Slow stable and uptalking stage
 Abrupt or very quick.
The defects which mainly took place in the ageing process were
Fig. 1. The mechanism of moisture absorption in natural fibers. pores, micro-cracks and delamination. Complete relaxation of the
whole structure was also witnessed. After ageing the tensile
be considered for electrical insulations, automobile body building strength of the composite material was significantly decreased.
and portion panels [6]. One more advantage of using natural fibers The coating of polylactide film effectively retarded the deteriora-
reinforcement is that they can be used even after wearing out. As tion of microstructure by ageing. Due to this adverse effect only
Ramaniah et al. carried-out investigation on the properties of used there is a need for development in natural fiber hybrid composite
grass broom fiber reinforced polyester composites and it was con- materials which gets benefited by the moisture absorption charac-
cluded that its tensile strength is more than sisal and other fiber teristics of natural fiber. Athijayamani et al. [18] investigated the
reinforced composites. The impact strength of the composite was effect of moisture absorption over the mechanical properties of
even more than pure polyester matrix for up to eight times [7]. short roselle and sisal fiber reinforced hybrid polyester composites
Dynamic mechanical analysis has shown that the reinforcement and found a high-level reduction of tensile strength and flexural
by natural fibres has significantly enhanced the thermal stability of strength at wet condition. Mechanical properties decreased due
epoxy during dynamic loading conditions. The dynamic mechani- to exposure of fiber to moisture. Rao et al. [6] carried out the inves-
cal characteristics are highly dependent on the type of fiber and tigation on vakka, bamboo, sisal, and banana fibers. The tensile,
the combinations reinforced with epoxy [8]. Natural fibers are dielectric and flexural properties were investigated. The vakka
dependable but not so strong to be used alone. However, they can’t fibers were extracted from retting process and were reinforced into
be used solely but only as reinforcements by the use of bonding a matrix made out of polyester resins. The tensile dielectric and
agents. The use of these bonding agents also decreases the curing flexural properties were studied and were compared with tradi-
time of the natural fibers [9]. Natural fiber reinforcements do not tional composites. The observation was made that the tensile
always serve as reinforcement but may also result as impurity strength is directly proportional to the volume fraction of vakka
hence resulting in dimensional changes and micro cracking fiber and is as strong as bamboo in terms of flexural strength.
[10,11]. However natural fibers have different behaviour under a The volume fraction of vakka fibers is directly proportional to the
moist environment or after absorption of moisture. A lot of previ- dielectric strength which makes it good for electrical insulation.
ous studies have conveyed that under wet conditions bio compos- Ramaiah et al. [7] utilized the waste broom grass natural fiber as
ites achieved better wear performance as compared to dry reinforcement and the matrix was made out of polyester resin.
conditions. Damping capacity of material shows its amount of elas- The thermal properties were measured as a function of tempera-
ticity [12,13]. Damping capability of the epoxy polymer showed ture and fiber content. The mechanical properties such as tensile
that adding natural fibers has reduced the brittle nature [8]. strength, effective density and Young’s modulus was considered
Moisture affects the fiber in many ways. It has both positive and which are 297.58 MPa, 864 kg/m3 and 18.28 GPa, respectively.
negative impacts on the performance of the fiber. It affects the According to the results, the thermal conductivity is inversely pro-
wear rate of the fiber. These effects are furthermore classified as portional to the fiber content and proportional to the temperature.
the following: However, the thermal properties results were compared with two
theoretical models. The relationship between volume fraction and
 Crack propagation thermal diffusivity was insignificant. Rao et al. [4] studied the ten-
 Sliding surface reaction sile properties of elephant grass fiber composites with reinforce-
 Modification to third body layer of accumulated wear debris. ment of polyester. The adhesion of the matrix was improved by
the help of KMnO4. The tensile strength, modulus of rigidity and
Water presence prevents the formation of third body debris effective density were 185 MPa, 7.4 GPa, and 817.53 kg/m3, respec-
layer. However, water in vapour phase does not affect the forma- tively of the fiber. There was an increase in tensile strength by 58%
tion of third body debris [14]. The investigation on the effect of and in modulus by 41% of the chemically extracted elephant grass.
moisture absorption on the properties of jute fiber was done [15]. After treating by KMnO4 there was a decrease in tensile strength by
Moisture absorption of Natural fiber affects the morphology of 19% and in modulus by 12% in fibers extracted from retting and
the natural fiber reinforced hybrid composites. Venkateshwaran 19% and 16%, respectively in those extracted from the chemical
et al. [16] performed a morphological analysis of banana and sisal extraction process. The chemically extracted fiber has an increase
reinforced hybrid composites to study the fractural behaviour and in its tensile strength and modulus by 1.45 times than that of those
fiber pull out using scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was extracted by retting. The treated fiber composites show a decrease
observed that the optimum length of 15 mm and weight percentage in tensile strength and mixed behaviour for modulus.

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Awasthi Aditya Bachchan, Partha Pratim Das and V. Chaudhary Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Chaudhary et al. [8] investigated the tribology of locally avail- effect of jute fabric reinforcement on the resulting composite’s
able cheap plant based fiber reinforced polymer composites. Fiber properties was done. A frictional tester operating at dry condition,
of flax hemp and jute were taken and natural fiber reinforced poly- different working force and computerized pin on the disc were
mer composite was made out of them with the help of epoxy mate- used to assess the tribological behavior. The SEM was used to jus-
rial. Fabrication was performed by hand layup. The basis on which tify the discussion made on the results, which concluded that
the tribological performance was evaluated were sliding wear incorporation of woven jute fabric into PP matrix enhances the
under dry contact condition and frictional characteristics at differ- wear resistance properties of polypropylene based on the compos-
ent parameters like sliding speed (1–5 m/s), applied load (10–50 N) ite since there was 3.5–4.5% decrease in H and decrement in the r
and sliding distance (1000–2000 m). It was concluded that the use specific wear rate because of the addition of jute fabric as
of natural fibers epoxy polymer matrix has a greater wear property reinforcement.
than pure epoxy polymer. Jute composite exhibited the highest Yousif et al. [24] investigated the aftermath of chemical treat-
friction coefficient, specific wear rate and frictional force. The ment on tribo performance of coir fiber reinforced polyester.
dynamic mechanical analysis was also performed to investigate Bleaching and alkaline treatment were done so that surface of
the viscoelastic behaviour of the fabricated composites. The surface the coir fiber can be modified. A pin on disc machine at different
of the samples was studied after the wear test by SEM. applied loads and fixed rotational speed was used to evaluate the
Nirmal et al. [19] investigated the properties of the treated betel wear performance of untreated and treated CFRP composites. Since
nut fiber reinforced composites and chopped strand mat glass fiber there was a lack of protection from the fibers the higher weight
reinforced polyester composites. It was concluded that treated loss was resulted because of the debonding gap in between the
betelnut fiber reinforced polyester exhibited 1.16% for tensile, untreated coir fiber and matrix. It was concluded that the test
17.39% for flexural and 4.92% for compression test when compared parameter affects the tribo performance of CFRP significantly trea-
to chopped strand mat glass fiber reinforced polyester composites. ted coir fiber showed superior interfacial adhesion and wear char-
According to the tribological test results, it was concluded that acteristics of the composite. SEM was used to observe the worn
treated betel nut fiber reinforced polymer is superior to chopped surface. The friction layer developed at the rubbing surface
strand mat glass fiber reinforced polymer by 90.8% and 98% in increased counter and specimen interaction.
wet and dry tests whereas the friction coefficient decreased to Yousif and El-Tayeb [25] studied the effect of treatment of the
9.4% and 80%, respectively. For treated betel nut fiber reinforced oil palm fibers on the tribological performance of polyester steel
composite polymer the interface temperature was 17% low when counterface under dry contact condition using a block on ring tech-
gone through dry tests than when compared to chopped strand nique. The evaluation of wear and friction characteristics of
mat glass fiber reinforced polymer. It was revealed by the SEM untreated and treated oil palm was done at different sliding veloc-
analysis that brittleness observed on the tribological test increased ities (1.7–3.9 m/s), different sliding distance and applied loads (30–
the material removal rate hence increasing the thermomechanical 100 N). SEM was done on the composite worn surfaces for the
effect at the rubbing site. examination of damage features. The presentation of specific wear
Yousif and El-Tayeb [20] investigated the effect of treated and rate, interface temperature and friction temperature were done
untreated oil palm fibers on high-stress three-body abrasive wear against the parameters of operation. It was revealed that parame-
properties of polyester composites. Experiments were performed ters influenced the wear performance of the composite signifi-
on different rotational speed (50–100 rpm) and different applied cantly. The wear and frictional performance of the polyester
load for 0.18 km of sliding distance using a dry sand/steel wheel composites was enhanced by both untreated and treated oil palm
apparatus. The sand particles flow was 4.5 g/s. Morphology of the fibers. The Ws of T-OPRP was 11% less than that of UT-OPRP which
worn-out surface were investigated using SEM. For evaluation of is because of fibers and less damage was observed concerning UT-
interfacial adhesion of the treated and untreated fibers pull out OPRP which consisted of debonding of fibers and deformed resi-
the test was performed, and it was concluded that treated oil palm nous regions.
fibers shoe superior wear performance than the untreated one. Zhong et al. [26] adopted surface micro fibrillation of cellulose
However, it was seen that the treated oil palm fibers showed fiber as a facile method for enhancement of cellulose fiber, pheno-
reduced porosity of the composite which brought stabilization in lic resin interfacial adhesion in hybrid composite consisting of ara-
the tribological characteristics. Based on SEM analysis, the predom- mid and sisal fiber. Significant increase in the interfacial adhesion
ination of wear mechanism was done by pitting micro-cracking, between the resin and sisal fibers by offering a large contact area
grooving, micro-cutting and fracture in the polyester region. and by inhibition of the formation of sudden cracks in the compos-
Chang et al. [21] reviewed the tribological performance of sev- ites which could be done by developing microfibrils and aggregates
eral natural fiber reinforced composites and discussed the effect of on the fiber surface. As a result, the compression internal bonding
natural fiber properties on the friction and wear of polymer. Poly- and tensile strength and wear resistance of hybrid composites
mer composites reinforced with natural fiber exhibited increased improve vastly. The DM value of 24° SR for surface micro fibrilla-
tribological properties. Selection of optimum fiber loading, fiber tion of sisal fiber increases the internal bonding tensile strength
treatment, fiber length, sliding orientation and combining with fil- and wear resistance value of composites by 124%, 93% and 31%,
ler material to obtain hybrid composites. respectively.
Hashmi et al. [22] developed graphite modified polyester–cot- Faola et al. [27] studied the result of chemical treatment over
ton composite and evaluated the sliding wear behaviour at differ- the degradation of polyester composites with agro fibers as
ent graphite concentration and applied load. Pin on disc apparatus reinforcement.
was used to perform the sliding wear test. The composite pins
were evaluated against EN 31 steel disc. Addition of graphite
and reinforcement of cotton caused reduction in specific wear rate 2. Effect of moisture absorption on properties of natural fibre
of the polyester and on adding graphite in cotton polyester com- reinforced polymer composites
posite the temperature of contact surface reduces. SEM was done
to discuss the wear rate reduction of graphite modified polyester 1 M of hydrogen peroxide sodium hydroxide and potassium
cotton composites. hydroxide solution was used to test the fibers. Particulate fibers
Yellow et al. [23] adopted compression moulding to prepare the which were obtained from 800 lm sieve and the polyester resins
jute reinforced polypropylene composite. Investigation of the were mixed in a predetermined proportion. The low absorption
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Awasthi Aditya Bachchan, Partha Pratim Das and V. Chaudhary Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

rate was observed in treated fibers as compared to untreated fibers HDPE which enhanced with increase in fiber content. The dry JF/
as per water absorption test. It was observed that chemical treat- CF HDPE showed superiority over wet composites in terms of ten-
ment is suitable for agro fibers. Yahaya et al. [37] studied that sile strength and tensile modulus.
water molecules influence the matrix, the fiber and the fiber Deo and Acharya [32] studied the effect of moisture absorption
matrix and harm the mechanical properties of the fiber. It affects behaviour on mechanical properties of epoxy composite reinforced
the integral structure of the fiber and fiber matrix hence acting with lantana camara fiber. Hand lay-up method was used in fiber
as a separating agent. The natural fiber consists of material highly content the flexural and tensile strength increased up to 30%. The
hydroxyl in nature which has an adverse effect on the mechanical moisture absorption test carried out at three different environmen-
properties. As the temperature increases, the water evaporation tal conditions and the calculation of equilibrium moisture update
increases with an increase in fiber content and it also depends on and diffusivity constant was done. It was concluded that the mois-
how porous the matrix is [38]. As the fiber absorbs water the cap- ture absorption of the composites follows the kinetics of Fick’s dif-
illaries swell and expand thus activating the micro cracks. The fusion process. With an increase in moisture absorption the
water molecules flow through the bulk matrix and along with fiber flexural and tensile strength of the composite increases. To reveal
matrix interface due to the capillary mechanism hence working as the interaction between reinforcement and matrix the fracture
bonding removing agent [39]. Athijayamani et al. [18] studied the characteristics of the composites was done.
tensile flexural and impact strength of sisal and roselle fibers Grishad et al. [33] investigated the natural absorption and
hybrid composites with different % weight. In unsaturated polye- mechanical characteristics of sisal/coconut coir natural fibers. The
ster resin, the sisal and roselle fiber were included in the equal fibers like coconut coir and sisal fibers with fibers weight fraction
ratio. It was observed that the fiber content and length were of 20, 30 and 40% were used in composite fabrication. The compos-
directly proportional to the tensile strength and flexural strength. ites were soaked in a water bath at 25°C and cool for a different
At length 150 mm and fiber content 30% by weight it was observed time. As the fiber volume fraction increased so does the percentage
that the strength reduction was maximum. In wet conditions, the of moisture uptake due to high cellulose content with increase in
percentage of strength reduction increased with length and it percentage moisture uptake the epoxy composite decreased. As
was concluded that the moisture absorption characteristics are the temperature was observed. Gupta and Srivastava [34] investi-
very important. gated the mechanical water absorption and thermal properties of
Munoz et al. [28] prepared flax fiber reinforced bio epoxy com- hybrid sisal jute fiber reinforced polymer composites. Hand lay-
posites with different weight fractions so that the mechanical up technique was used to prepare the composites. It was con-
properties could be studied after water absorption. The specimens cluded that composite having 50% jute and 50% sisal was superior
were soaked in a water bath for a duration of time at room temper- in mechanical and thermal properties but inferior in water absorp-
ature. The water absorption process reached Fiskian diffusion tion property as compared to jute sisal and other composites.
behaviour. The evaluation of diffusion coefficient and maximum Alkali treatment of the composite exhibit in positive effect over
uptake of water was done, and it was concluded that with an the mechanical and thermal properties. Daramola et al. [35] inves-
increase in fiber content both increased. The result of tensile and tigated the mechanical and water absorption properties of polye-
flexural properties suggests that flax fiber swells after absorbing ster matrix composites reinforced with treated pineapple leaf.
water hence resulting in a positive effect on mechanical properties The extraction of the leaf was done by retting. The fiber was chem-
[33]. ically treated to improve the adhesion and lower the water con-
Venkatesh et al. [29] investigated the tensile flexural and water tent. Hand lay-up method was used to prepare the composite. It
absorption properties of polyester composites reinforced with nat- was concluded that the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity
ural fiber initiated pre estimation of optimum fiber length and of the composite increases with the fiber content. The flexural
weight was done. Hybridization of sisal fiber was done with bam- modulus, strength, and hardness of the composite enhanced from
boo fiber to improve tensile impact and flexural properties which 10 to 30% wt and deteriorated from 40% fibre-loaded.
exhibit an increase in mechanical properties and decrease in mois- Sudha and Arun [36] studied the effect of gel coating on lami-
ture absorption properties. The effect of concentration and fiber nated natural fibre reinforced polymer composites. Evaluation of
treatment on the mechanical properties and decrease in moisture jute fibre reinforced polymer composites were done to study
absorption property. The effect of concentration and fiber treat- mechanical properties and moisture absorption. Epoxy was used
ment on mechanical properties was also studied. The fibers were to prepare the laminated composites. The testing for moisture
exposed to10% NaOH solution for a day. The properties of treated uptake, flexural and tensile properties was done after exposing
and untreated fibers were studied. SEM was used to study the frac- the specimen to moisture. Both coated and uncoated specimen
ture surface of the specimen. The treated composites showed 30%, were compared. The coating of gel eradicates moisture uptake
27.4% and 36.9% increase in tensile, flexural and impact strength and improves mechanical properties.
and a sharp decrease in moisture absorption behaviour. Priyanka Yahaya et al. [37] evaluated the impact properties and water
et al [30] studied the water absorption and tensile properties of absorption of woven Kenaf–Kevlar hybrid composites. Kenaf was
banana fibre reinforced functionalized polypropylene composites taken as the core material and thin skin of Kevlar was kept in all
which were developed by palasule process which consist of using specimen. It was revealed from the experiment that high Kenaf
modified matrix soaked in room temperature distilled water for a content hybrid composite is low in terms of density (0.88 kg/m3)
long duration. This water absorption of BF CFPP and with increas- and high in terms of voids (25.67%). Also sample with higher Kenaf
ing fiber content is enhanced. Dry BF/CFPP showed greater tensile content absorbed more water and has low dimensional stability.
modulus and tensile strength than wet composites. The water The impact strength is affected by water absorption which
absorption in BF/CFPP was enhanced or promoted by voids capil- decreased from 228.24 to 124.66 kJ/m2 (45.38%) (H1), and the
lary water transported and hydrogen bond. highest impact strength decrement of 75.52% was observed in H5
Singh et al. [31] studied the water absorption and tensile prop- sample. Kalirasu et al. [38] studied the moisture absorption effect
erties of jute fiber reinforced modified polyethylene composites over single coconut sheath fibre. The composite of CS and GM fibre
made by Palsule process, which indeed using a modified matrix. reinforced composites were made through hand layup method
The composites were soaked in room temperature distilled water which was followed by compression moulding. To study the water
for 6600 h so that the effect of long-term water absorption could absorption, effect the CS/UPR and GM/UPR were dipped in water
be studied. JF/CF HDPE showed higher water absorption than CF for several hours at room temperature. The effect was observed
4
Awasthi Aditya Bachchan, Partha Pratim Das and V. Chaudhary Materials Today: Proceedings xxx (xxxx) xxx

Table 1
Effect of moisture absorption on properties of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites carried out by various authors.

Sl. Fibres Polymer Moisture Time Outcomes References

no. uptake (%) (h)
1 Sisal Polymer 75 120 High reduction in tensile and flexural strength and appearance of micro- [18]
composites 85.6 cracks due to swelling
89
2 Flax Epoxy 6.23–6.56 5 768 With increase in weight fraction water absorption increase [28]
3 Sisal and bamboo Epoxy 19.6 55 With an increase in fibre length water absorption increases [29]
9.1 55
4 Banana fibre Polypropylene 2 4680 Tensile strength of wet samples is less than dry samples [30]
11 4680 h Tensile strength of wet samples decreases with respect to dry samples
5 Jute fibre Polyethylene 1.2 6600 The tensile modulus of dry sample is more than the wet sample [31]
3.2 6600 the tensile modulus of dry sample is greater than the wet sample
6 Lantana camara Epoxy 13.72 60 The water absorption decreases after the saturation point [32]
7 Sisal and coconut Epoxy 8.64 672 The water absorption decreases after the saturation point [33]
fibre
8 Sisal/jute fibre Epoxy 6.09 700 The moisture absorption is higher at elevated temperature [34]
5.63 700 Lower water absorption can be achieved by better interfacial bonding and
alkali treatment
9 Pineapple Polyester 0.31 336 Water absorption increases and the rate of absorption decreases with an [35]
increase in immersion time
10 Jute Epoxy 1.5 12 The coating of epoxy acts in delaminating prevention [36]
11 Kenaf Kevlar and 6.34 300 Hybrid with higher woven Kenaf content is greater in water absorption [37]
epoxy 14.81
16.58
12 Coconut sheath Unsaturated 13.76 5 Natural fibres absorb more water than synthetic [38]
polyester
13 Jute AESO 22.2% 240 Natural fibres absorb more water than synthetic [39]
14 Basalt Unsaturated 2.5 24 There is considerable loss in mechanical properties due to water uptake [40]
polyester

in terms of gain per cent for CS and GM. The conclusion was that cracks get initiated in the fibre. Moisture absorption capacity
CS/UPR shows greater water gain than GM/UPR. increase with time, but get saturated after reaching the saturation
Ramamoorthy et al. [39] studied the effect of water absorption point, after which it becomes constant. Natural fibers absorb more
over mechanical properties of soybean oil thermoset with natural water than synthetic fibers due to which use of epoxy, unsaturated
fibre reinforcement. The composite laminates were manufactured polymer resin gel, AESO, e.t.c. as coating helps in prevention of
from acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) resin through com- delamination and decreases water absorption. Due to advance-
pression moulding. The natural fibre content was 30–40% with ment in technology, chemical treatment can be done to reduce
temperature 160–170 °C and pressure 40 bar. The laser cutter the water absorption capacity.
was used to cut the specimen. The specimen was soaked in dis-
tilled water for 240 h. As a reference, dry specimen was tested.
To calculate energy absorbed during fracture, impact test was done CRediT authorship contribution statement
on the dry specimen. To reduce water absorption the hybrid com-
posites were made from lyocell fibre and glass fibre. The incorpo- Awasthi Aditya Bachchan: Writing - original draft. Partha Pra-
ration of glass a lyocell fibre improved the tensile and flexural tim Das: Writing - review & editing. Vijay Chaudhary: Methodol-
properties of natural fibre reinforced composites over the influence ogy, Conceptualization, Supervision.
of water. Dynamic mechanical and thermal analysis were done to
study the viscoelastic properties of composites and hybrid com- Declaration of Competing Interest
posites. Pandian et al. [40] studied the moisture absorption beha-
viour over mechanical properties of Basalt fibre reinforced The authors declare that they have no known competing finan-
unsaturated polyester resin composites. The BFR/UPRC were cial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared
immersed in normal and seawater to study the water absorption to influence the work reported in this paper.
effect over its mechanical properties. The specimen was immersed
in water at room temperature for the various time period. The
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