The water absorption of jute-based biocomposite samples were measured according to ASTM D 5708. This test is carried out to determine the amount of water absorbed and performance of the materials in water environments. This is very similar to the moisture absorption test. Three square shaped samples of 3.0 cm x 3.0 cm of 5% natural rubber based jute composite were kept in an oven at a temperature of 100°C. Then weight of the three samples were measured. After that these samples were kept in a Petri dish full of distilled water. Then after 24 h and 48 h, the weight of the samples were taken and the water absorption was calculated using the Eq. (3).

W — W

Water absorption, Wa = —1——- 1 x100 (3)

W

where W1 is original weight of the sample and W2 is final weight of the sample after 24, 48 and 120 h.

The results of water absorption test are shown in Table 6.2. The percentage of the water absorption gradually increases with time and then it reaches a saturation point and an average of 114% of water is absorbed at the end of 120 h.