Effect of Immersion Time in Water on the Tensile Properties of Acetylated Steam-exploded Acacia mangium Fibers-Filled Polyethylene Composites

Abstract

Composites of high-density polyethylene and acetylated steam-exploded Acacia mangium fibers are immersed in water at room temperature for 30 days and tested for tensile properties after 2, 4, and 6 days of immersion. All composites absorb water but the water uptake decreases with increasing weight percent gain (WPG) of the acetylated fibers (AAEF). Immersion time has negative effect on the tensile properties and the impact is lesser for composites filled with AAEF of higher WPG. Tensile modulus decreases linearly (R ²=0.80) with water uptake. Acetylation does not improve fiber—matrix interaction but reduces the amount of water absorbed by the composite systems.