Effect of chemical treatment and fumed silica coating on tensile and thermogravimetric properties of jute yarn

Abstract

The mechanical and thermal properties of natural fiber used in fiber-reinforced composites have gained importance in recent years. Although jute fibers have been used by several authors in different fiber-reinforced composites, the coated jute yarn has not been thoroughly characterized. The present study deals with the effect of surface treatment and fumed silica coating on tensile and thermogravimetric properties of jute yarn to be used as reinforcement in fiber-reinforced composites. Fumed silica is manufactured by pyrolysis of quartz sand vaporized in a 3000 °C electric arc. Jute fibers are treated with alkali to improve its surface property and hydrophobicity. A solution of acetone and fumed silica is prepared, and jute yarn is kept in the solution for 5 mins to form the coating. Surface analysis of jute samples is done using an optical microscope. The average particle size of nano fumed silica is determined from FE-SEM image. TGA and tensile test of jute yarns are performed. A comparative analysis of four samples of jute yarn based on treated, untreated, coated and uncoated are done. It is found that the ultimate tensile load and thermogravimetric properties are significantly influenced by coating. The alkali treated jute yarn coated with fumed silica shows better property as compared to only treated and untreated jute yarn.