This research was to investigate the conversion of bagasse into a thermo moldable material through esterification of the fiber matrix. For this purpose, bagasse fiber was esterified in the absence of solvent using succinic anhydride. The dimensional stability and mechanical properties of composites prepared from the esterified fibers were studied. Dimensional stability was found to be dependent on the total ester and monoester/diester content of esterified fibers and increased with increasing total ester and monoester content of the fibers. The mechanical properties (bending strength, tensile strength, and hardness) were enhanced with increasing monoester contents. Scanning electron microscopy was used to prove the occurrence of thermoplasticization of the esterified fibers. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.