Study of the electrical and mechanical properties of jute mat-polyester resin composites

Abstract

A simple cold press moulding process was used to prodllCe unsaturated polyester resin (UPRj-jute mat reinforced composites using different weight percentage or calcium carbonate (CaCO,j. 'lhe various physical and mechanical properties ~uch as Dcnsity, Water absorption, Flexural Strength (FS), Ultimate Tensile Strcngth (UTS) and electrical properties such as resistivity, actiYalion encrgy etc, of the composites were measured with different change or proccss variables sllch as load, time and weight percenl<lge of CaCO, Water ab~orption (WA) decreases with the increa,e of soaking time amI becomes almost satu"lled after 120 hours in all conditions. The WA of jute fiber reinrorced composite with filler decreases with the increase of filler content. WA decreases with moulding load up 10 142 kN and then increascs above. Bulk density increases with CaCO] content fix the composites with 0,5 and 5.0% NaOli treatedjmc mat. Young Modulus of composites increases up to 2 Wl% ofCaCO] then it decreases. Tensile strength shows also similar hehaviour. Flexural Strength (FS) and Tangent modulus remain constant up to 142 kl'i and then decreases above. Both lhese attain maximum value with 2 ",1 % CaC03 in the composites. FS and Tangent modll1us values are higher for composites with 5% NaOH treated jute mat. Although jutc mat addition lowcr the degradation temperature. CaCOJ addition to the UPR-jmc mo.t composile impro\'e the degradalion temperature bul ~tilllowcr then that oj" UPR, The electrical resistivily increases on addi(i(l1l of CaCOJ Eleclri~al conduction is dominated by ion motion.