Effect of silane monomer on the improvement of mechanical and degradable properties of photografted jute yarn with acrylamide

UV radiation was used to graft acrylamide (AA) to jute yarn in order to improve the mechanical properties. The physicomechanical properties of the grafted jute yarn were investigated. A series of solutions of different AA concentrations in methanol along with photoinitiator (Irgacure‐907, 2%) were prepared. The jute yarns were soaked in the solution for 30 min before radiation. The effect of irradiation time, concentration of monomer on polymer loading, and tensile properties of the jute yarn were studied. The highest polymer loading (22%) and tensile strength (95%) of the yarn were observed when the yarn was treated in 30% AA in methanol with 60 min of UV radiation. The surfaces of both treated and untreated jute were characterized by X‐ray photospectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and environmental scanning electron microscopy, and it was observed that the AA reacted or deposited on the jute surface. A minute amount (1%) of silane monomer [3‐(trimethoxysilyl)‐propyl methacrylate] was used as an additive in the AA solution to further improve the mechanical properties of jute yarn. Better improvement was achieved by using 1% silane monomer. Water uptake, simulating weathering, and soil degradation tests of untreated and treated yarns were also performed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3530–3538, 2003     

Effect of alkali and ultraviolet (UV) radiation pretreatment on physical and mechanical properties of 1,6‐hexanediol diacrylate–grafted jute yarn by UV radiation

To improve the physicomechanical properties of jute yarn, grafting with 1,6‐hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) monomer was performed by a UV radiation technique. A series of HDDA solutions of various concentrations in methanol were prepared. A small quantity of photoinitiator (Darocur‐1664) was also added to HDDA solutions. To optimize the conditions for grafting, the effects of monomer concentration, soaking time, and radiation doses were studied by varying the number of soaking times along with variation of monomer concentrations and UV radiation intensities. The extent of polymer loading and the mechanical properties like tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (Eb), and tensile modulus of both treated and untreated jute were investigated. The highest tensile strength, polymer loading, and modulus were achieved with 5% HDDA concentration, 5 min soaking time, and the 4th pass of UV radiation. This set of conditions was selected as optimum and produced enhanced tensile strength (67%), modulus (108%), and polymer loading (11%) over those of virgin fiber. To further improve the mechanical properties the jute yarns were pretreated with alkali (5% NaOH) solution and after that the alkali‐treated yarn were treated under UV radiation of various intensities. The pretreated samples were grafted with optimized monomer concentration (5% HDDA). Increased properties of alkali + UV‐pretreated and grafted samples such as polymer loading (12%), tensile strength (103%), elongation at break (46%), and modulus (114%) were achieved over those of virgin jute yarn. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 18–24, 2004     

Surface modification of jute yarn by photografting of low‐glass transition temperature monomers

Jute yarns were grafted with three types of vinyl monomers of different functionalities such as methyl acrylate (MA), ethyl acrylate (EA), and 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) with ultraviolet radiation. The graft copolymerization reaction between the cellulose of the jute fibers and the monomer and the chemical environment of the treated fibers were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The reduction of OH groups and increment of >C?O groups in treated jute yarns were observed. DSC studies showed that the treated jute fibers were more thermally stable compared to the untreated one. The surface topography of the yarns was analyzed by an environmental scanning electron microscope. Different parameters, such as concentration of monomers and irradiation time, were optimized with the extent of mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation at break of the jute yarn. MA, EA, and HEA produced enhanced tensile strengths of 87, 78, and 85%, respectively. The monomers MA, EA, and HEA showed improved elongations at break of 118, 91, and 76%, respectively. The water uptake of treated and untreated jute yarns were studied. The maximum water uptake was observed of the grafted sample compared to the untreated jute yarn. The effects of additives such as urea on mechanical properties were also studied. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 993–1000, 2003     

Role of Amino Acids on In Situ Photografting of Jute Yarn with Acrylamide Using Ultraviolet Radiation

Abstract

To improve the mechanical performance of jute yarn, grafting with acrylamide (AM) monomer has been performed on in situ UV radiation and optimized; the monomer concentration (30%) and irradiation time (60 min) attained 195% tensile strength with 22% polymer loading (PL). The effect of amino acids (1%) as additives in AM with photografted jute yarn at optimized system has been studied. The PL and tensile properties, such as tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (Eb), of treated samples were enhanced by incorporation of amino acids, and the highest TS value (270%) and Eb value (300%) with 27% PL value were achieved by the sample treated with L‐arginine (Arg). Weak acid [3% acetic acid (Ace)] and strong acid [1% sulfuric acid (Sul)] were also incorporated in the optimized system of AM grafting to investigate their effect on the mechanical properties of photografted jute yarn. Water absorption and weathering resistance of treated untreated samples (TS₀) were also studied.     

Jute composite with MMA by gamma and UV radiations in the presence of additives

Jute yarns treated with MMA + MeOH solutions were irradiated either with Co‐60 gamma source or with UV radiation. In gamma radiation, polymer loading of MMA (methyl methacrylate) onto jute increased quite substantially, but the strength of the composite decreases sharply after 15% polymer loading. The gamma‐treated jute samples were very brittle. On the other hand, jute yarns irradiated in situ under UV radiation was found to be grafted with MMA. The tensile strength of the UV‐cured jute yarn composite increases with an increase of grafting level, in contrast to the behavior observed with the gamma‐irradiated jute composite samples. The tensile properties of the composites can be further enhanced by the incorporation of certain additives and coadditives into MMA + MeOH solutions. This opens diverse applications for jute materials. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 900–906, 1999     

Jute Reinforced Polymer Composite by Gamma Radiation: Effect of Surface Treatment with UV Radiation

Jute (Hessian cloth) reinforced polymer composites were prepared with a mixture of 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and aliphatic urethane diacrylate oligomer (EB-204), and then cured under gamma radiation. Thick pure polymer films (2 mm thickness) were prepared by using the same monomer and oligomer at different weight ratios, and 500 krad of total gamma radiation dose at 600 krad/hr was selected for the curing of all composites. Total radiation dose, jute content, and monomer concentration were optimized with the extent of mechanical properties. Among all resulting composites, the composite of 38% jute content at monomer:oligomer = 50:50 (w/w) ratios showed the better mechanical properties, such as 108% increase in tensile strength (TS), 58% increase in bending strength (BS), 138% increase in tensile modulus (TM), and 211% increase in bending modulus (BM) relative to pure polymer film. The gel content values were also found to increase with the increase of jute content in the composite. But the elongation at break (Eb) for both tensile and bending was found to decrease with increasing jute content. The best mechanical properties were obtained when jute fibers were pre-irradiated with UV radiation, such as 150% increase in TS, 90% increase in BS relative to polymer film, 19% increase in TS, and 15% increase in BS relative to untreated jute-based composites. A water uptake behavior investigation of the resulting composites was also performed and composites based on UV-treated jute showed the minimum water uptake value.     

TENSILE PROPERTIES OF JUTE YARNS IMPROVED WITH ORGANO-METALLIC COMPLEXES

A number of formulations was prepared with oligomer urethane acrylate (Eb-264) combined with a diluent monomer of different acrylated functionalities in the presence of a plasticizer, an antibubbling agent, ligands, and organo-metallic complexes. The complexes were made with benzohydroxamato-pyridine (complex 1) and benzohydroxamato-ethylenediamine (complex 2) in the presence of TiO₂. Thin polymer films were prepared under ultraviolet (UV) radiation with these solutions and were characterized. A jute–plastic composite was prepared with these solutions under UV radiation. The tenacity of the treated jute was increased by about 25% with reduced water absorption ability, but the presence of a minute amount (0.1%) of an organo-metallic complex in the formulation also enhanced jute tenacity up to 223%. The effect of their ligands on these properties was also investigated; both of the complexes substantially enhanced the properties of jute yarns rather than their ligands.     

Effect of γ‐aminopropyl trimethoxy silane on the performance of jute–polycarbonate composites

The composites of jute fabrics (hessian cloth) and polycarbonate were prepared by compression molding. The jute surface was modified with γ‐aminopropyl trimethoxy silane (Z‐6011) to improve interfacial adhesion between jute and polycarbonate. The treated and untreated jute surfaces as well as composites were investigated by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Environmental scanning electron microscopy, Dynamic mechanical analysis, and mechanical testing. XPS and FTIR assure that the silane plays important role to form interfacial bonding with the jute fibers and polycarbonate. The surface topography of silanized and virgin fibers, and the interfacial adhesion properties of the composite were investigated by ESEM. DMA analysis shows the improved storage and loss moduli of silanized jute composite as compared to the untreated one. The modified jute composite also produces enhanced mechanical properties. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4142–4154, 2006     

Effect of Mercerization on Surface Modification of Henequen (Agave fourcroydes) Fiber by Photo-Curing with 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (HEMA)

Abstract

Henequen fibers were cured under ultraviolet (UV) radiation with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in order to improve the mechanical properties and reduce the water absorption. A series of solutions of different HEMA concentration in methanol along with photoinitiator Irgacure 907 was prepared. The radiation dose, monomer (HEMA) concentration and soaking time were optimized with respect to grafting of monomer and mechanical properties of cured fiber. 3% HEMA, 5 min soaking time, at the ninth pass of radiation, produced higher tensile strength (190%) and elongation at break (195%), than those of the virgin fiber, as well as the highest grafting value (4.2%). For further improvement of the mechanical properties, the fibers were treated with an alkali (KOH) solution of various concentrations for 1 h before curing. 10% alkali-treated fibers showed increased properties, such as grafting (5.4%), tensile strength (300%), and elongation at break (290%) over raw fiber. The treated fiber showed lower water uptake than the untreated ones. The grafted fibers were also characterized by IR and it was observed that HEMA deposited on the fiber surface may react with the cellulose backbone of the Henequen fibers.     

Effect of benzohydroxamato-ethylenediamine-titanium complex on modification of jute and cotton yarns by UV-radiation-induced urethane acrylate

Several formulations were developed consisting of an aliphatic-based urethane triacrylate oligomer (Ebcryl 264) combined with N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP), a carboamide monomer, and tripropylene glycol diacrylate (TPGDA) at different proportions. A plasticizing agent, diallyl phthalate (DP), and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), an antibubbling solvent, were incorporated into the solutions. Thin polymer films prepared with these solutions under UV radiation were characterized. Jute and cotton yarns were treated with these solutions and cured with UV radiation. As a result, the rheological properties of jute and cotton were improved. The effect of ethylenediamine–titanium (EDA–titanium) complex and its ligands was studied. A very minute amount (0.1%) of the complex enhanced rheological properties of jute and cotton very significantly. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65:1571–1580, 1997     

Alkali treatment of jute fibers: Relationship between structure and mechanical properties

The mechanical properties of tossa jute fibers were improved by using NaOH treatment process to improve the mechanical properties of composites materials. Shrinkage of fibers during this process has significant effects to the fiber structure, as well as to the mechanical fiber properties, such as tensile strength and modulus. Isometric NaOH‐treated jute yarns (20 min at 20°C in 25% NaOH solution) lead to an increase in yarn tensile strength and modulus of ∼ 120% and 150%, respectively. These changes in mechanical properties are affected by modifying the fiber structure, basically via the crystallinity ratio, degree of polymerization, and orientation (Hermans factor). Structure–property relationships, developed for cellulosic man‐made fibers, were used with a high correlation factor to describe the behavior of the jute fiber yarns. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 623–629, 1999     

Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation and Potassium Permanganate on the Physico-Mechanical Properties of Jute Polymer Composites

Jute fabrics-reinforced polymer composites were prepared with different formulations using oligomer (M-1200), methanol and benzoyl peroxide. Fiber content in the composites was optimized and 55% jute content at oligomer: methanol: benzyl peroxide = 75:24.5:0.5 (w/w) ratios showed better mechanical properties. Jute fabrics were treated with potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) solution of different concentrations for different soaking times. Optimized jute fabrics were soaked in the optimized formulation (F3) and cured under UV radiation at different intensities and measured their mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water uptake and soil degradation test of the treated and untreated composite samples were performed.     

Modification Jute Yarn with HEMA by Thermal Curing Method

Jute, an important lignocellulosic fiber, can be incorporated in monomer like HEMA in different ways for achieving desired properties and texture. But its high level of moisture absorption, poor wettability and insufficient adhesion between untreated fiber and the polymer matrix lead to debonding with age. In order to improve the above qualities, adequate surface modification is required. In our present work, jute yarn surface modification was done by graft copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA). Jute yarns soaked into HEMA (5–30%) + MeOH and benzoyl peroxide (2%) solution and were cured in an oven at different temperature (30–70°C) for different curing time (15–60 min). Concentration of monomer, soaking time, curing temperature and curing time were optimized with the extent of tensile properties and polymer loading (%PL). Enhanced tensile strength (137%) and polymer loading (36%) were achieved by 20% HEMA solution with 15 min soaking time, 30 min curing temperature at 50°C. The fiber surface was pretreated with 0.05–0.5% KMnO₄ solution and grafted with the optimized conditions. It was observed that KMnO₄ treatment only increases the PL while it decreases the tensile properties a lot, which is even lower than the raw fiber. An experiment involving water absorption capacity shows that water uptake by treated sample is much lower than that of the untreated samples. During weathering in accelerated weathering tester, the treated samples exhibited less loss of the physico-mechanical properties than untreated yarns.     

Improvement of properties of natural polymers with organo–metallic complexes under ultraviolet radiation

Thin polymer films were prepared under ultraviolet radiation with a triacrylated aliphatic urethane oligomer that was diluted with reactive monomers such as N‐vinyl pyrrolidone and tripropylene glycol diacrylate. These films were characterized. The effect of incorporation of a minute amount (>0.15%) of a titanium–pyridine complex and its ligands on the characterization of these polymers was investigated. Cotton and jute yarns were treated with the solutions containing these materials under the UV radiation. The change in tensile properties of the treated natural polymers (cotton and jute) was evaluated, and it was found that the titanium–pyridine‐based complex substantially enhanced the tensile strengths (tenacity) for both cotton and jute. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1131–1138, 1999     

Photocuring of Empty Fruit Bunches of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Fibers with Allyl Methacrylate (AMA): Effect of Additives on Mechanical and Degradable Properties

Empty fruit bunches of oil palm fibers can be used as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional reinforcing fibers, like glass, carbon, etc. In order to improve the interfacial properties, this fiber was subjected to grafting with bulk monomer allyl methacrylate (AMA) and cured under UV radiation. It was found that UV curing enhanced the physicomechanical properties to a large extent compared to the untreated virgin fiber. Among different AMA concentration, the fibers treated with 10% monomer showed the best mechanical properties after 15 passes of UV radiation. Different additives such as urea, acrylamide, and NVP were added with the 10% AMA solution, and the effect of additives was studied. It was found that fibers treated with 2% urea showed even better PL and tensile properties than those treated only with AMA. the treated and untreated fiber samples were also subjected to various weather conditions such as simulating weather, soil, and water aging to determine the degradable properties. It was observed that the minimum loss in each case was shown by the sample treated with the formulations that contain urea as additives with AMA and that fiber aged in soil showed higher loss of weight and tensile properties than that aged in water.     

UV‐radiation‐induced preirradiation graft copolymerization of methacrylic acid and acrylic acid onto jute fibre

UV‐radiation‐induced graft copolymerization of methacrylic acid and acrylic acid onto jute fibre was carried out using a preirradiation method with 1‐hydroxycyclohexyl‐phenylketone as a photoinitiator. 2‐methyl‐2‐propene 1‐sulfonic acid, sodium salt was incorporated into the grafting solution in suppressing the homopolymer/gel formation and facilitating graft copolymerization. In comparison, results showed that the type of monomer significantly influence on grafting. The results of the characterisation showed that the graft weight and the type of monomer have significant influence on the mechanical and water absorption properties in the case of grafted samples. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Novel jute yarns grafted with methyl methacrylate

This research work involves graft copolymerization of jute fibers with methyl methacrylate (MMA), initiated by cerric ions, and optimization of the grafting parameters as a function of different polymerization conditions. It was considered to produce a hydrophobic jute fiber with enhanced properties. To achieve this, the effects of monomer concentration and grafting percentage on FTIR spectra, mechanical properties, moisture regain, oil‐adsorption capacity, and surface morphology were investigated, and optimum percentage of MMA with reasonable properties was suggested. The results indicated that cerric ions initiated graft copolymerization of MMA onto jute with 30% of weight of monomers at optimum conditions of acid concentration and temperature. The FTIR studies proposed grafting of MMA onto jute at hydroxyl groups. The results showed that mechanical properties and moisture regain (%) of samples decrease with increasing of graft percentage. The most remarkable features of this investigation include reducing oil‐adsorption capacity with increasing of lipophilic monomer percentages after one limitation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

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.     

Graft copolymerization and characterization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate onto jute fiber by photoirradiation

UV radiation induced graft copolymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate onto natural lignocellulose (jute) fiber was carried out by two methods: simultaneous irradiation and grafting and preirradiation grafting. 1‐Hydroxycyclohexyl‐phenylketone was used as the photoinitiator in both methods. In the former method, the variation of the graft weight was measured for different values of radiation exposure time and the concentrations of both the monomer and photoinitiator. The latter method produced up to 76% graft weight compared to 45% obtained with the former method. The preirradiation method offers better control of the homopolymerization reaction compared to that afforded by the other method. The optimum value of the reaction parameters on the graft weight was evaluated. The mechanical properties of grafted samples were found to be drastically different from those of the as‐received ones and the effect was proportional to the percentage of graft weight. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that the percentage of graft add‐on of hydroxyethyl methacrylate with jute had a significant effect on the thermal properties. IR studies indicated the degree of grafting could be estimated by correlating the band intensities with the graft weight. The jute samples grafted with poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) at a level of 12% graft weight exhibited a maximum 20% increase in hydrophilicity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2898–2910, 2006