Swelling of natural fibre bundles under hygro- and hydrothermal conditions: determination of hydric expansion coefficients by automated laser scanning

Abstract The effect of humidity conditions on the moisture content and dimensional variations of natural fibre bundles from several botanical origins with contrasting biochemical and structural characteristics is investigated. Results highlight wide variations in water uptake and swelling behaviour of fibre bundles as a function of plant species. Two main swelling mechanisms are identified: (i) a microscopic swelling due to the sorption of bound water in the cell walls and the middle lamella, and (ii) a macroscopic swelling related to the formation of free water in pores and lumens, which induces anisotropic deformation of bast fibre bundles. Surface hygro- and hydroexpansion coefficients are determined and studied in relation with the structural features of plant fibre bundles. These results constitute key data for the predictive modelling of “in-service” mechanical behaviour of biocomposites.