Abstract:
In this research work, different types jute reinforced polypropylene
(PP) composites were prepared by injection moulding technique. To
prepare improved jute-PP composites, different types chemical
treatments were carried out. The effects of these treatments on the
physico-mechanical properties of the composites were studied.
Reaction parameters such as time, temperature, pH and concentration
of coupling agents were investigated for all chemical treatments.
Unbleached raw jute fibers were modified by sodium periodate
oxidation and the effects of oxidized jute on the performance of
oxidized jute reinforced PP composites were studied comparing with
the raw jute-PP composites. Coupling reactions were carried out using
urea and urotropine with the oxidized jute-PP composites by posttreatment
processes. Fr-IR spectroscopic analyses were done for all
chemical treatments and the results showed the evidence of positive
reactions. The effects of urea and urotropine on the physicomechanical
properties of the composites were studied. Maleic acid
treatment was carried out on the raw jute-PP composites. The effect of
maleic acid on the physico-mechanical properties of the composites
was also studied. The effects of fiber content on the physicomechanical
properties of composites were studied by preparing the
composites with different percentage of fiber loading (from 20 wt% to
35 wt%) for each type of composites. Mechanical properties (tensile
strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, flexural strength,
flexural modulus, charpy impact strength and hardness were
measured for all treated composites and raw jute-PP composites.
Improved mechanical properties were obtained for all the treated
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composites over untreated raw jute reinforced PP composites.
Scanning electron micrograph of the composites were taken to
investigate the interfacial adhesion and bonding between the fiber and
PP matrix resulting from the various chemical treatments. Improved
interfacial interactions were found for treated composites than
untreated composites.
Water absorption tests were carried out of. all composites to
investigate the effect of chemical treatment on the moisture
absorption characteristic of hydrophilic jute in the jute-PP composites
which has direct effect on the dimensional stability of the composites.
Reduced water absorption was found for oxidized jute-PP composites,
urotropine treated oxidized jute-PP composites and maleic acid treated
raw jute-PP composites. All the findings are reported in details in this
thesis.
