Enzyme‐mediated surface modification of jute and its influence on the properties of jute/epoxy composites

Surface modification of jute fibers is necessary to improve the adhesion and interfacial compatibility between fibers and resin matrix before using fibers in polymer composites. In this study, dodecyl gallate (DG) was enzymatically grafted onto the jute fiber by laccase to endow the fiber with hydrophobicity. A hand lay‐up technique was then adopted to prepare jute/epoxy composites. Contact angle and wetting time measurements showed that the surface hydrophobicity of the jute fabric was increased after the enzymatic graft modification. The water absorption and thickness swelling of the DG‐grafted jute fabric/epoxy composite were lower than those of the other composites. The tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of the jute/epoxy composites were enhanced by the surface modification. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed stronger fiber–matrix adhesion in composites with modified fibers. Therefore, the enzymatic graft modification increased the fiber–matrix interface area. The fiber–matrix adhesion was enhanced, and the mechanical properties of the composites were improved. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1327–1334, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Role of gamma radiation and EGDMA on the physico–mechanical properties of jute fabrics/polypropylene composites

Jute fabrics reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites (45 wt % fiber) were prepared by compression molding and their mechanical properties were investigated. Both jute fabrics and PP sheets were treated with gamma radiation (250–1,000 krad dose) at a rate of 350 krad/h. Irradiated jute fabrics were soaked into ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) solutions (5–40% by weight) and cured in an oven at different temperatures (40–100°C) for 60 min. The percentage of polymer loading (PL) was evaluated and found that 20% EGDMA‐treated jute fabrics contains the highest PL. Composites made of 20% EGDMA‐treated jute fabrics were studied further. It was found that the treatment using the EGDMA improved the mechanical properties of the composites significantly. Scanning electron microscopy and aging properties of untreated and treated composites were performed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical,thermal and degradation properties of jute fabric – reinforced polypropylene composites: Effect of potassium permanganate as oxidizing agent

Mechanical properties of jute fabrics‐reinforced polypropylene composites were measured with reference to fiber loading and found highest at 45% by the weight of jute fabrics. Jute fabrics were treated with potassium permanganate in acid (oxalic acid and sulphuric acid) and alkaline (KOH) media in order to investigate the oxidizing effect on the properties of the composites. Solutions of oxalic acid, sulphuric acid, and KOH were prepared in water as 1.0–10.0% w/v, 0.1–2.0% v/v, and 1.0–10.0% w/v, respectively, where percentage of KMnO4 was maintained at 0.01% w/v. Among the treatments, 5.0% oxalic acid treated jute composite showed better mechanical performance. Thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) data of PP, jute fabrics and composites showed that thermal degradation temperatures of composites shifted to higher temperature regions compared to PP or jute fabrics. The treatment of jute fabrics improves thermal stability of the composites. Treated jute composites were found less degradable in soil, water and simulated weathering conditions and also found less water sensible compared to control composite (45% w/w jute fabrics). POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Influence of electron beam treatment of jute on the thermal properties of random and two-directional jute/poly(lactic acid) green composites

In the present study, randomly aligned jute fiber/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and two-directionally aligned jute fabric/PLA green composites with jute (50% by weight) treated with electron beam at different dosages (0, 5, 10, 30, 50, and 100?kGy) were fabricated by compression molding technique and the effect of electron beam treatment on their thermal properties was investigated in terms of thermal expansion, thermal stability, dynamic mechanical thermal property, and heat deflection temperature (HDT). The dynamic storage modulus and HDT of neat PLA were significantly increased by incorporating jute fibers or fabrics into PLA, whereas the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the damping property were decreased, reflecting the enhancement in the interfacial adhesion between the jute and the PLA by electron beam treatment with an optimal dosage of 10?kGy and the reinforcing effect by jute. The result exhibited that the thermal stability, storage modulus, and HDT of jute/PLA green composites were highest with the electron beam irradiation of jute at 10?kGy and lowest at 100?kGy, whereas the CTE and tan δ were lowest at 10?kGy and highest at 100?kGy. The thermal behavior of random jute/PLA green composites shows a similar tendency to that of 2D jute/PLA counterparts and the influence of electron beam irradiation on the thermal properties studied was consistent with each other. The thermomechanical analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and HDT results were in agreement with each other, showing a comparable effect of electron beam irradiation on composites thermal characteristics.     

Effect of stacking sequence on mechanical properties of hybrid flax/jute fibers reinforced thermoplastic composites

In this study, the hybrid composites were prepared by stacking jute/PP nonwoven and flax/MAPP woven fabrics in defined sequences. Polypropylene (PP) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) were used as matrix materials. Jute and flax fibers were treated with alkali solution in order to improve the interface properties of the resultant composites. The mechanical properties of these hybrid composites were analyzed by means of tensile, flexural, and drop‐weight impact tests. The effect of fabric stacking sequence on the mechanical properties of the composites was investigated. The stacking of nonwovens at the top and in alternate layers has resulted in maximum flexural strength, flexural stiffness, and impact force. It was also shown that hybrid composites have improved tensile, flexural, and impact properties in comparison to neat PP matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:2167–2173, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Jute Fabrics Reinforced Polyethylene/Polypropylene Composites: Role of Gamma Radiation

Jute fabrics reinforced polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and mixture of PP+PE matrices based composites (50 wt% fiber) were prepared by compression molding. It was found that the mixture of 80% PP + 20% PE hybrid matrices based jute fabrics reinforced composites performed the best results. Gamma radiation (250–1000 krad) was applied on PP, PE and jute fabrics then composites were fabricated. The mechanical properties of the irradiated composites (500 krad) were found to increase significantly compared to that of the non irradiated composites. Electrical properties like dielectric constant, loss tangent and conductivity with temperature variation of the composites were studied.     

Physico-Mechanical,Interfacial, Degradation,and Dielectric Properties of Jute/PP Composites: Effect of Dye and Gamma Radiation

Jute fabrics/polypropylene composites were prepared by compression molding. Jute fabrics were treated with red dye solutions (0.1–1%, w/w) for different soaking times and we found that 0.5% red-dye-treated jute/PP composite for 5 min soaking time showed better results. Gamma radiation (250-1000 krad dose) was applied on both jute and matrices. Composites were fabricated with non-irradiated jute/non-irradiated PP (C-0), non-irradiated jute/irradiated PP (C-1), irradiated jute/non-irradiated PP (C-2), and irradiated jute/irradiated PP (C-3). It was found that a C-3 composite made using 500 krad dose showed the best results. Simulating weathering and dielectric properties of the composites were also performed.     

Long jute fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composite: Effects of jute fiber bundle and glass fiber hybridization

Two types of long jute fiber pellet consisting of twisted‐jute yarn (LFT‐JF/PP) and untwisted‐jute yarn (UT‐JF/PP) pellets are used to prepare jute fiber–reinforced polypropylene (JF/PP) composites. The mechanical properties of both long fiber composites are compared with that of re‐pelletized pellet (RP‐JF/PP) of LFT‐JF/PP pellet, which is re‐compounded by extrusion compounding. High stiffness and high impact strength of JF/PP composites are as a result of using long fiber. However, the longer fiber bundle consequently affects the distribution of jute fiber. The incorporation of 10 wt % glass fibers is found to improve mechanical properties of JF/PP composites. Increasing mechanical properties of hybrid composites is dependent on the type of JF/PP pellets, which directly affect the fiber length and fiber orientation of glass fiber within hybrid composites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41819.     

Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation on the Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of Hessian Cloth/PP Composites with Starch

Hessian cloth (jute fabrics) reinforced poly(propylene) (PP) composites (45 wt% fiber) were prepared by compression molding and the mechanical properties were evaluated. Jute fabrics and PP sheets were treated with UV radiation at different intensities and then composites were fabricated. It was found that mechanical properties of the irradiated jute and irradiated PP-based composites were found to increase significantly compared to that of the untreated counterparts. Irradiated jute fabrics were also treated with aqueous starch solution (1–5%, w/w) for 2–10 min. Composites made of 3% starch-treated jute fabrics (5 min soaking time) and irradiated PP showed the best mechanical properties. Tensile strength, bending strength, tensile modulus, bending modulus and impact strength of the composites were found to improve 31, 41, 42, 46 and 84% higher over untreated composites. Water uptake, thermal degradation and dielectric properties of the resulting composites were also performed.     

Lignin in jute fabric–polypropylene composites

In this work, the feasibility of using lignin as a compatibilizer for composites made from jute fiber fabric and polypropylene (PP) was studied. Since lignin contains polar (hydroxyl) groups and nonpolar hydrocarbon, it was expected to be able to improve the compatibility between the two components of the composite. It was found that lignin acted as β nucleation, fire retardant, and toughening agent for PP matrix. Jute composites exhibit higher stiffness, tensile strength, and impact behavior in respect to those of neat PP. Although scanning electron micrographic observations indicate that PP‐jute adhesion was slightly improved by lignin addition, additional benefits were only obtained from impact behavior. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Preparation and properties of successive alkali treated completely biodegradable short jute fiber reinforced PLA composites

The natural fiber reinforced biodegradable polymer composites were prepared with short jute fiber as reinforcement in PLA (Poly lactic acid) matrix. The short jute fiber is successively treated with NaOH at various concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%) and H₂O₂. The composites were prepared with untreated and treated short jute fibers at different weight proportions (up to 25%) in PLA and investigated for mechanical properties. The results showed that the composite with successive alkali treated jute fiber at 10% NaOH and H₂O₂ with 20% fiber loading has shown 18% higher flexural strength than neat PLA and untreated jute/PLA composite. The flexural modulus of the composite at 25% fiber loading was 125% and 110% higher than that of composites with untreated fibers and neat PLA, respectively. The impact strength of composite with untreated fibers at higher fiber weight fraction was 23% high as compared to neat PLA and 26% high compared to composite with treated fibers. The water absorption was more for untreated jute/PLA composite at 25% fiber loading than all other composites. The composite with untreated fibers has high thermal degradation compared with treated fibers but lower than that of pure PLA matrix. The enzymatic environment has increased the rate of degradation of composites as compared to soil burial. Surface morphology of biodegraded surfaces of the composites were studied using SEM method. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2160–2170, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of the atmospheric plasma treatment parameters on jute fabric: The effect on mechanical properties of jute fabric/polyester composites

The effect of atmospheric air plasma treatment of jute fabrics on the mechanical properties of jute fabric reinforced polyester composites was investigated. The jute fabrics were subjected to different plasma powers (60, 90, and 120 W) for the exposure times of 1, 3, and 6 min. The effects of plasma powers and exposure times on interlaminar shear strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength of polyester based composites were evaluated. The greatest ILSS increase was about 171% at plasma power of 120 W and exposure time of 6 min. It is inferred that atmospheric air plasma treatment improves the interfacial adhesion between the jute fiber and polyester. This result was also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy observations of the fractured surfaces of the composites. The greatest tensile strength and flexural strength values were determined at 120 W for 1 min and at 60 W for 3 min, respectively. Moreover, it can be said that atmospheric air plasma treatment of jute fibers at longer exposure times (6 min) made a detrimental effect on tensile and flexural properties of jute‐reinforced polyester composites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Jute Fibers-Polyethylene/Polypropylene Composites: Effect of Green Dye and UV Radiation

Jute-reinforced polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and mixture of PP/PE composites were prepared. It was found that 90% PP and 10% PE matrices based jute reinforced composites performed the better results. UV radiation at different intensities was applied both on matrices and jute. Mechanical properties of the irradiated jute- and matrices-based composites were found to increase significantly. Optimized jute fabrics were also treated with different concentrations of green dye (0.1–1%, w/w) with 2% K₂O₈S₂ in methanol solution for 2–8 min. A composite made of 0.5% green dye jute (5 min soaking time) and irradiated matrix showed the best mechanical properties.     

Gallate derivatives as antioxidant additives for polypropylene

Octyl gallate (OG), dodecyl gallate (DG), and hexadecyl gallate (HG) were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and NMR, and their thermal stability was measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The antioxidant effect of these derivatives in polypropylene (PP) was measured by oxidation induction temperature measurement on DSC, and by measurement of carbonyl groups in the polymer on attenuated total reflectance FTIR spectroscopy after they were aged at 120°C. The results indicated that the gallate derivatives could provide long‐term stabilization to PP under conditions of oxidative degradation. The antioxidant performance of HG with longer alkyl chain was superior to the OG and DG, making the former a good candidate to be used as antioxidant additive in PP. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39850.     

Improvement of physico-mechanical properties of jute yarn by photografting with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propylmethacrylate

Jute yarns were treated with an alkoxy silane monomer 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propylmethacrylate under UV radiation. The monomer concentration and radiation intensity were optimized with respect to the extent of grafting and mechanical properties of the grafted (silanized) jute yarn. The enhanced tensile strength by 159%, elongation-at-break (237%) and polymer grafting (26.2%) were observed when the yarn was treated at 30 wt% silane in methanol under UV radiation for 30 min. The surfaces of both treated and untreated jute yarns were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) and it was concluded that the silane reacted or deposited on jute surface as a result of UV radiation. Water uptake and degradation properties of untreated and silanized jute yarn were studied in various conditions such as simulated weathering and in soil containing 25% water. The silanized jute yarn showed lesser water uptake as well as less weight loss and mechanical properties as compared to virgin samples.     

Comparative experimental measurements of jute fiber/polypropylene and coir fiber/polypropylene composites as ionizing radiation

Jute and coir fiber‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites (45 wt% fiber) were prepared by compression molding. Composites were fabricated with irradiated jute fiber/irradiated PP and irradiated coir fiber/irradiated PP at different doses (250–1,000 krad). It was revealed that jute‐based composites had better mechanical properties as compared to coir‐based composites. Interfacial shear strength of jute/PP and coir/PP systems was measured by using the single‐fiber fragmentation test. Scanning electron microscopy investigation shows poor fiber matrix adhesion for coir‐based composites than that of jute‐based composites. Water uptake and soil degradation tests of the composites were also performed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The flame retardancy and mechanical properties of jute/polypropylene composites enhanced by ammonium polyphosphate/polypropylene powder

Surface flame retarded jute/polypropylene composites (J/P/A) were prepared via a modified strategy: the mixture of PP and APP powder was spread over the surface of jute/PP nonwoven felts, and then transformed into the flame retarded layer by the hot pressing process. The flame retardancy and thermal properties of composites were analyzed by limit oxygen index (LOI), horizontal burning rate (HBR), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We demonstrated that the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of composites was significantly improved compared with those obtained by presoaking the nonwoven fiber felts in flame retardant (FR) solvent before hot pressing. The mechanism of thermal degradation of jute fiber and flame‐retardant mechanism of composites were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43889.     

PP-g-(MAH-St)对PP/木粉复合材料力学性能的影响

在聚丙烯中(PP)中添加马来酸酐(MAH)和共单体苯乙烯(St),通过熔融挤出法制备了高接枝率的PP-g-(MAH-St),红外光谱分析证明了St和MAH成功接枝到PP主链上。研究了PP-g-(MAH-St)对PP/木粉复合材料力学性能的影响,并用扫描电镜观察了复合材料冲击断面的微观形貌。结果表明,与现有PP-g-MAH相比,只要添加少量PP-g-(MAH-St)就能有效改善PP/木粉复合材料的界面相容性,从而提高材料的力学性能;PP-g-(MAH-St)中MAH的接枝率对复合材料力学性能影响显著,当MAH接枝率为2.8 %时,能使木塑复合材料力学性能达到最佳。     

Structure and physical properties of grafted jute fiber

Jute fiber was grafted by acrylonitrile and methylmethacrylate monomers in raw and bleached condition. It was also noted that optimum grafting takes place after about 4 h of grafting. It was also noted that in bleached jute fiber, the grafting percentage is higher at all stages of grafting but the tenacity value at the highest add-on is practically the same as that of raw fiber with much less add-on. The crystalline orientation of the grafted jute fiber was correlated with the fiber tenacity. The moisture regain (%) of the fiber after grafting showed a decreasing trend with an increase in grafting percentage. No structural change of the fiber occurred due to grafting. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of lactic acid chain length on thermomechanical properties of star‐LA‐xylitol resins and jute reinforced biocomposites

Star‐shaped bio‐based resins were synthesized by direct condensation of lactic acid (LA) with xylitol followed by end‐functionalizing of branches by methacrylic anhydride with three different LA chain lengths (3, 5 and 7). The thermomechanical and structural properties of the resins were characterized by ¹³C NMR, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, rheometry, DSC, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), TGA and flexural and tensile tests. An evaluation of the effect of chain length on the synthesized resins showed that the resin with five LAs exhibited the most favorable thermomechanical properties. Also, the resin's glass transition temperature (103 °C) was substantially higher than that of the thermoplast PLA (ca 55 °C). The resin had low viscosity at its processing temperature (80 °C). The compatibility of the resin with natural fibers was investigated for biocomposite manufacturing. Finally, composites were produced from the n5‐resin (80 wt% fiber content) using jute fiber. The thermomechanical and morphological properties of the biocomposites were compared with jute‐PLA composites and a hybrid composite made of the impregnated jute fibers with n5 resin and PLA. SEM and DMA showed that the n5‐jute composites had better mechanical properties than the other composites produced. Inexpensive monomers, good thermomechanical properties and good processability of the n5 resin make the resin comparable with commercial unsaturated polyester resins. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry