Characterization of chemically modified jute fiber for polymer composites

Abstract

Jute fiber reinforced composite as moderate structural materials have attracted the attention of material scientists all over the world because of their low cost, easy availability, light weight, renewability and biodegradability. In addition, low density and high specific strength of jute reinforced polymer composites make them the most suitable candidates for low load bearing applications. In this research work, control and chemically treated jute fibers were characterized by thermal, mechanical and structural testing. The effects of treatments on the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the fiber have been studied. Reaction parameters such as time and temperature have been investigated for all chemical treatments. The control jute fibers were chemically treated to make the fiber rot retardant, fire retardant and water retardant. FTIR spectroscopy analyses were done for all retardant treatments and the results show the evidence of positive reaction. The tensile properties (Tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and strain to failure) of both control and chemically treated jute fibers were studied by varying fiber span length (5mm, 15 mm, 25 mm and 35 mm). The effect of span length on those properties was also studied. Chemical concentration on the treated and control fiber have been studied by the thermal properties in terms of differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). All the studies are made for the top, middle and bottom portion of the jute fiber. In order to observe the crystalline properties and surface morphology, x-ray diffractometry (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been carried out respectively. Both the control and chemically treated fibers were incorporated as reinforcing agents in maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAgPP) matrix composites through hot compression molding under specific pressure and temperature. The effect of fiber content on the mechanical properties of composites was studied by preparing composites with different percentage of fiber loading (20wt%, 25wt% and 30wt %) for each type of jute fiber. Tensile, three points bend and impact tests were conducted on all treated and control jute MAgPP composites. The Young’s modulus, tensile strength, strain to failure, flexural strength, and flexural modulus increased in case of control, RR, FR and WR compared to matrix. Since scanning electron micrographs of the single fiber and fracture surface of composites were taken to examine the variation in failure mode and to investigate the interfacial adhesion and bonding between fiber and matrix. Improve interfacial interactions were found for treated jute composites. Water absorption tests were carried out on rot, fire and water retardant fibers and their composites to investigate the chemical effect on the moisture absorption of hydrophilic jute and its composite. Reduced water absorption was found in case of rot and water retardant treated fiber and their composites.