Abstract:
In this study, different types jute fibre reinforced
polypropylene (PP) composites and test samples were
prepared by single screw extruder and injection moulding
machine respectively. To improve jute-PP composites,
different types chemical treatment 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 every chemical
treatments. Alkali bleached raw jute fibres were modified
by sodium periodate oxidation followed by diazonium salt
treatment. The effects of periodate oxidation and diazonium
salt treatment on the performance of jute fibre reinforced
PP composites were studied comparing with the raw jute
fibre–PP composites.
Coupling reactions were also carried out using para-nitroso
N,N-dimethyl phenylamine. FT-IR spectroscopic analyses were
done for all chemical treatments and the results showed the
evidence of positive reactions. The effects of paranitroso
N,N-dimethyl phenylamine on the physico-mechanical
properties of the composites were also studied.
The effect of fibre content on the physico-mechanical
properties of the composites were studied by preparing the
composites with different percentage of fibre loading(from
10%-35%) for each type of composite. Mechanical properties
(tensile strength, Young modulus, flexural strength,
flexural modulus and hardness were measured for all treated
jute fibre and raw jute fibre-PP composites. Improved
mechanical properties were obtained for all treated
composites over raw jute reinforced PP composites.
Scanning electron micrograph of the composites were taken
to investigate the interfacial adhesion and bonding nature between the fibre and PP matrix resulting from the various
chemical treatments. Improved interfacial interactions were
found for treated composites than the untreated one. 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 treated jute-PP composites.
Thermal analysis of the composite were carried out, which
indicate better thermal stability of treated jute fibre –PP
composite than the untreated one. Among the various
chemical treatment sodium hydroxide bleached oxidized paranitroso
N,N-dimethyl phenylamine treated jute-PP composites
showed best mechanical and physical properties.
