Influence of moisture absorption on tensile and compressive properties of natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites

Abstract

The present research is aimed at examining the changes in tensile and compressive properties of natural fiber-reinforced composites (NFRC) exposed to various humidity conditions; this is due to the fact that moisture content (MC) in fibers is generally assumed to be detrimental to composite performance. It was found that once moisture is exposed, compressive strength and strain of specimens would be higher than those of tensile, whereas modulus of elasticity would be lower. Due to increasing moisture content, although elongation in all tests was enhanced, tensile and compressive strength declined by 15% and modulus of elasticity decreased by 20%. In addition, Poisson’s ratio for both compressive and tensile properties was nearly identical (0.33) in distinct moisture content. A new understanding of moisture’s effects on mechanical behavior is presented in this study by finding an optimum point for exposing moisture to increase compressive and tensile strength.