Influence of short-term degradation on coir in natural fibre-cement composites

• Alkalinity of cement is not a determining factor in natural fibre degradation. Hemicellulose readily dissolves the pore solution. Cellulose and lignin are persistent at pH level Tensile strength remains unaffected due to persistence structural components. Degradation cementitious products caused by alternative mechanisms. Natural fibres regarded as potential bio-based traditional material used cement-based composites. A well-known complication their instability alkaline environment, which causes This work presents study mechanical performance, microstructure, composition coir exposed alkalinity, focusing on short-term degradation mechanisms Fibre performance was found be unrelated alkalinity medium only hemicellulose degrade highly environment. It therefore concluded that hydrolysis main involved