Acetylation of Natural Fibers

Acetylation can reduce the hygroscopic nature of natural fibers and increases the dimensional stability of composites. Acetylation was used in surface treatments of fiber for use in fiber-reinforced composites [46,47]. 

Out of the above mentioned methods, alkali treatment process (mercerization) has been adopted for the surface modification of Sisal Fiber (SF). The treatment of the fiber was carried out by immersing the fibers in IN sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution for 1 hour at room temperature. Then, these fibers were washed with distilled water containing few drops of acetic add, followed by thorough washing imder continuous 

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Scheme 4.4 Reaction scheme of acetylation of natural fibers with (a) and without (b) catalyst. (After A.K. Mohanty [4].)...

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