Effects of Jute Fiber on the Biodegradation of Polymer Composites

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.