Adhesive Tensile And Moisture Absorption Characteristics Of Natural Fibres Reinforced Urea Formaldehyde Composites

Natural fibers are gaining the interest of scientist and engineering in packaging, low cost housing and other general applications. In the present study, adhesive tensile and moisture absorption properties of randomly distributed areca fibre and maize powder reinforced urea formaldehyde composites has been investigated. Composites were prepared by hydraulic hot press at 150C and 100 bar pressure. Composites are cured under ambient conditions for 5 hours. The tests were conducted according to ASTM standards. The adhesive tensile tests were conducted to investigate strength of the composite and moisture absorption test to investigate the moisture absorption resistance property. The results obtained were shown that adhesive tensile strength increases with in decrease in fibre to maize powder ratio till at particular composition and later it decreases with further decrease in fibre to maize powder ratio. Moisture absorption decreases with decrease in the fibre to maize powder ratio and moisture content increases with the increase in the time duration and attains saturation. Hence mechanical properties improved at a particular composition of areca fibres and maize powder composite and resistance to moisture absorption was improved with the weight ratio of fibres to maize powder. It was concluded that the studied composites are promising alternate and substitute material for conventional wood based plywood or particle board.