Effect of fiber content and screw speed on the mechanical properties of jute fiber reinforced polypropylene composite

Abstract

Nowadays growing interest of the researchers to utilize the natural fiber as reinforcement in composite materials. M any researchers are have a preference to work on thermoplastic polymer than that of thermosets plastics, due to the low production cycle, lower cost of processing and high reparability of thermoplastics. Short Fiber-reinforced thermoplastic matrix composites have expanded commercial success in the semi structural and structural applications. This paper focused on mechanical characterization of chemically treated jute fiber reinforced thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) composite processed using twin screw extruder. The jute fibers are mixed 10 to 30 % of mass fraction by varying screw speed 100, 200 and 300 RPM. Variation of mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact (Both notched and un-notched) are discussed for varying screw speeds of the extruder and percentages of the jute fiber. The results indicated that the increase in the fiber content lot of variations in the mechanical properties of the composite. In addition to that screw speeds also influencing on mechanical properties.