Study of the Moisture Absorption in Polymer Composites Reinforced with Vegetal Fiber Using Langmuir’s Model

Abstract

This work aims to numerically study the moisture absorption in polymer composites reinforced with vegetal fiber, using the diffusive model of Langmuir, which considers the existence of water molecules inside the material free to diffuse and adsorb at the capillaries walls, in the solid. A three-dimensional and transient mathematical modelling to describe the water absorption process by the composite and its numerical solution via finite volume method are presented and discussed. Results of the free solute concentration, entrapped solute concentration, local moisture content and average moisture content obtained at different instants of the process are presented and analyzed. It was verified that the concentration gradients of the molecules (free and entrapped) are higher at the material surface. In addition, as the concentration of free water increases, there is also an increase in entrapped water concentration within the material at any time of the process.

Keywords

• polymer composites
• vegetal fibers
• Langmuir model
• numerical solution