14.4.1 MOISTURE

Moisture content of the fibers is due to its hydrophilic nature, the amorphous do­mains of the fiber and also the amount of interfacial area. The hydrophilic character of polysaccharides influences the overall physical properties because water on the fiber surface acts as a separating agent in the fiber-matrix interface in the fibers.35

Therefore, it can be considered a major problem for the use of polysaccharides as reinforcement in biocomposites because it can have a dramatic effect on the bi­ological performance of a composite made from natural fibers, besides affecting drastically mechanical properties of the composites such as compression, flexural and tensile.36

Moisture can be minimized by using coupling agents such as silanes, for in — stance.37 Such water repellency/inactivity can be explained because the fiber-matrix adhesion is improved via chemical silanol bonds as well as hydrogen bonds that reduce any adverse affects from moisture because it cannot penetrate the bonding system. Thus, fiber drying before processing is a key step in any successful biocom­posite processing.