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.     

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.     

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     

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     

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.     

Physico-Mechanical and Degradation Properties of Gamma-Irradiated Biocomposites of Jute Fabric-Reinforced Poly(caprolactone)

Jute fabric-reinforced poly(caprolactone) biocomposites (30–70% jute) were fabricated by compression molding. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, bending strength, bending modulus and impact strength of the non-irradiated composites (50% jute) were found to be 65 MPa, 0.75 GPa, 75 MPa, 4.2 GPa and 6.8 kJ/m², respectively. The composites were irradiated with gamma radiation at different doses (50–1000 krad) at a dose rate of 232 krad/hr and mechanical properties were investigated. The irradiated composites containing 50% jute showed improved physico-mechanical properties. The degradation properties of the composites were observed. The morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscope.     

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 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     

Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of Jute Fabrics: Reinforced Polyvinyl Chloride/Polypropylene Hybrid Composites

Jute fabrics such as reinforced polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and a mixture of PVC and PP matrices-based composites (50 wt% fiber) were prepared by compression molding. Tensile strength (TS), bending strength (BS), tensile modulus (TM), and vbending modulus (BM) of jute fabrics' reinforced PVC composite (50 wt% fiber) were found to be 45 MPa, 52 MPa, 0.8 GPa, and 1.1 GPa, respectively. The effect of incorporation of PP on the mechanical properties of jute fabrics' reinforced PVC composites was studied. It was found that the mixture of 60% PP and 40% PVC matrices based composite showed the best performance. TS, BS, TM, and BM for this composite were found to be 65 MPa, 70 MPa, 1.42 GPa, and 1.8 GPa, respectively. Degradation tests of the composites for up to six months were performed in a soil medium. Thermo-mechanical properties of the composites were also studied.     

Effect of nonionizing radiation on the physicomechanical properties of banana fiber/pp composites with HEMA

Banana fiber‐reinforced polypropylene (PP)‐based unidirectional composites (40% fiber by weight) was manufactured by compression molding. Banana fibers and PP sheets were treated with UV radiation at different intensities and then composites were fabricated. It was found that mechanical properties of irradiated banana fiber and irradiated PP‐based composites were found to increase significantly compared to that of untreated counterparts. Irradiated banana fibers were also treated with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) mixed with methanol (MeOH) under thermal curing method at different temperatures (30–70°C) for different curing times (20–60 min). A series of solutions of different concentrations of HEMA in methanol along with 2% benzyl peroxide were prepared. Monomer concentration, curing temperature and curing time were optimized in terms of polymer loading and mechanical properties. Composites made of 15% HEMA, 50°C and 40 min curing time showed the best mechanical properties than those of untreated composite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water uptake, and simulating weathering test of the composites were also investigated. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Horseradish peroxidase-mediated functional hydrophobization of jute fabrics to enhance mechanical properties of jute/thermoplastic composites

In this study, nonpolar octyl gallate (OG), dodecyl gallate (DG), and octadecyl gallate (OCG) were grafted onto the surface of hydrophilic jute fabrics, which were mediated by horseradish peroxidase to improve the hydrophobicity of jute materials. The gallate-grafted jutes were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and grafting percentage (Gp), and the hydrophobic properties were evaluated by water contact angle and wetting time measurements. The Gps determined by saponification was 3.91%, 5.12%, and 4.58% for OG, DG, and OCG, respectively. The nonpolar chain length and the grafting rate of the monomers had a considerable effect on the hydrophobicity of the modified jute fabrics. The as-prepared hydrophobized jute fabrics had superior interfacial compatibility with nonpolar resins, such as polypropylene (PP) and polylactic acid (PLA) making them most suitable to be utilized in the development of jute fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites. The tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of the grafted jute/PP or jute/PLA composites were improved compared with pure PP, PLA, and non-modified jute composites.     

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.     

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     

Highly electrically conductive and injection moldable polymeric composites

Highly electrically conductive polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by melt mixing using tin–lead (Sn‐Pb) alloy as conducting fillers. Two Sn‐Pb alloys, Sn‐Pb (20/80) and Sn‐Pb (40/60), were used for comparison. The effects of Sn‐Pb loading and molding temperature on electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of composites were investigated. It was found that both factors had significant effect on electrical conductivity of the final Sn‐Pb/PP composite. It was interesting to observe that the molding temperature could control the formation of long‐range conducting paths. The mechanism has been explored through the nonequilibrium phase behavior of Sn‐Pb alloy. The influence of Sn‐Pb loading on mechanical properties of Sn‐Pb/PP composites was also investigated. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

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     

Thermal,Mechanical and Morphological Characterization of Jute/Gelatin Composites

Jute fabrics/gelatin biocomposites were fabricated using compression molding. The fiber content in the composite varied from 20–60 wt%. Composites were subjected to mechanical, thermal, water uptake and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. Composite contained 50 wt% jute showed the best mechanical properties. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, bending strength, bending modulus and impact strength of the 50% jute content composites were found to be 85 MPa, 1.25 GPa, 140 MPa and 9 GPa and 9.5 kJ/m², respectively. Water uptake properties at room temperature were evaluated and found that the composites had lower water uptake compared to virgin matrix.     

Mechanical and viscoelastic properties of soybean oil thermoset reinforced with jute fabrics and carded lyocell fiber

Composites and hybrid composites were manufactured from renewable materials based on jute fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers (Lyocell), and thermosetting polymer from soybean oil. Three different types of jute fabrics with biaxial weave architecture but different surface weights, and carded Lyocell fiber were used as reinforcements. Hybrid composites were also manufactured by combining the jute reinforcements with the Lyocell. The Lyocell composite was found to have better mechanical properties than other composites. It has tensile strength and modulus of about 144 MPa and 18 GPa, respectively. The jute composites also have relatively good mechanical properties, as their tensile strengths and moduli were found to be between 65 and 84 MPa, and between 14 and 19 GPa, respectively. The Lyocell‐reinforced composite showed the highest flexural strength and modulus, of about 217 MPa and 13 GPa, respectively. In all cases, the hybrid composites in this study showed improved mechanical properties but lower storage modulus. The Lyocell fiber gave the highest impact strength of about 35 kJ/m², which could be a result of its morphology. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the Lyocell reinforced composite has the best viscoelastic properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

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 Sodium Bicarbonate on the Mechanical and Degradation Properties of Short Jute Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composite by Extrusion Technique

Short jute fibers and the pellets of polypropylene (PP) were compounded to make composites with the help of an extruder followed by compression molding. The mechanical properties of the composites increased with the increase of fiber content up to 20%, then decreased while the jute content varied from 5 to 30 wt%. Composites with varying percentages (5 to 20%) of sodium bi-carbonate at constant (20%) jute content were made by same process. The mechanical properties, soil degradation tests, and the water uptake capacity of the composites were investigated properly. Also, the density of the composite was reduced up to 21.54%.