A study on flammability and moisture absorption behavior of sisal/coir fiber reinforced hybrid composites

Cellulosic fiber reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC's) are more frequently applied in construction industry and transportation, in which their flammability and water absorption behaviors are important. Fire resistance of cellulosic fiber reinforced composites is important parameter that often limits the application of composites in a given area. This work presents experimental results of a fire retardant behavior and moisture absorption behavior of different weight percentage (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt. %) of sisal/coir fiber reinforced epoxy resin hybrid composites. Traditional cold pressing method was used to fabricate hybrid composites. Flammability behavior of the hybrid composite was studied by using vertical and horizontal burning rates as per standard UL-94. Addition of the cellulosic fiber increases the flammability since natural fiber supports fire. It proves as a bad flame retardant due to the generation of a surface layer during pyrolysis of the cellulosic fiber which exhibits poor fire retardant nature. This layer acts as supporter of fire, which spreads the heat from being transferred to the un-pyrolised material. The speed of flame is much faster in vertical burning position compared to horizontal burning position due to preheating of the specimen. Moisture absorption of sisal/coir fiber reinforced epoxy resin hybrid composites are studied according to ISO 62:1999 standard procedure. Absorption of moisture increases with increasing in the reinforcement weight percentage of cellulosic fiber in fabricated hybrid composite.