Abstract:
Natural fiber is commonly used to create environmental friendly biodegradable
polymer composites. In the vision of biodegradable polymer composite the
possibility of jute fiber polymer composites were evaluated in this experimental
study. Polyethylene and Polypropylene were reinforced with 5%, 10% and 15% of
fiber. 1mm, 2mm and 3mm fiber length were used to fabricate composites using
compression molding. Degradation behavior of composites was studied in terms of
percentage weight loss and percentage mechanical properties loss in compost, soil
and natural weather condition. Loss of Mechanical properties i.e. tensile strength, E
modulus, elongation at break, flexural strength, flexural modulus and strain at Fmax
was studied. Samples are kept in compost heap and in soil burial to observe the
degradation of the specimens. In weather degradation the effect of natural
phenomena were observed. The biodegradability of composites was enhanced in
compost condition with respect to soil and natural weather. Degradation rate were
higher in compost condition considering natural weather and soil and higher fibre
reinforced ratio shows higher degradation. Fiber length shows almost no effect on the
degradation rate of studied sample.
