Effect of Water Absorption on the Mechanical Properties of Wheat Straw Fibre Reinforced Polystyrene Composites

The present work deals with the effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties of alkali plus silane treated wheat straw reinforced polystyrene composites. Wheat straw polystyrene composite was prepared with different fibre loading (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%) by compounding process using twin screw extruder. Samples were prepared by the compression moulding process. There was a decrease in the tensile strength initially at 5% fibre loading followed by an increase in it with higher fibre loading. There is an increase in flexural strength up to 15% fibre loading followed by decrease in it with higher fibre loading. There is an increase in the hardness initially at 5% fibre loading followed by decrease in it with higher fibre loading. There is an increase in water absorption with percentage increase in fibre loading. Tensile strength, flexural strength, and hardness of alkali plus silane treated wheat straw reinforced polystyrene composites with water absorption is always less than alkali plus silane treated wheat straw reinforced polystyrene composites without water absorption.