Improvement of physicomechanical properties of grafted coir fiber with ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate: effect of UV radiation

Abstract

Abstract Coir fibers were modified with ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA)+MeOH solutions under thermal curing method at different temperatures (50°C–90°C) and curing times (30–70 min). Monomer concentration, curing temperature, and curing time were optimized in terms of grafting and mechanical properties, and 50% EGDMA, 70°C and 50 min curing time, respectively, registered better performance. Coir fibers were pretreated with ultraviolet radiation at different doses, soaked in optimized solution, and cured under optimum conditions. These fibers showed improved properties than EGDMA-treated fibers. Water uptake and simulated weathering test of untreated and treated fibers were studied.