Influence of short-term degradation on coir in natural fibre-cement composites

Natural fibres are regarded as a potential bio-based alternative to traditional fibre material used in cement-based composites. A well-known complication of natural fibres is their instability the alkaline cement environment, which causes degradation. This work presents a study of mechanical performance, microstructure, and composition of coir fibres exposed to alkalinity, focusing on short-term degradation mechanisms of degradation. Fibre performance was found to be unrelated to the alkalinity of the medium and only hemicellulose was found to readily degrade in a highly alkaline environment. It was therefore concluded that alkaline hydrolysis is not the main factor involved in natural fibre degradation.