Effect of Various Surface Treatments on the Performance of Jute Fibers Filled Natural Rubber (NR) Composites.

Kumarjyoti Roy,Pranut Potiyaraj,Lazaros Tzounis,Aphiwat Pongwisuthiruchte,Subhas Chandra Debnath

doi:10.3390/polym12020369

Kumarjyoti Roy, Pranut Potiyaraj + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12020369

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Abstract

In the present study, the suitability of various chemical treatments to improve the performance of jute fibers (JFs) filled natural rubber (NR) composites was explored. The surface of JFs was modified by three different surface treatments, namely, alkali treatment, combined alkali/stearic acid treatment and combined alkali/silane treatment. Surface modified JFs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The reinforcing effect of untreated and surface treated JFs in NR composites was comparatively evaluated in terms of cure, mechanical, morphological and thermal properties. Combined alkali/silane treated JFs filled NR composite showed considerably higher torque difference, tensile modulus, hardness and tensile strength as compared to either untreated or other surface treated JFs filled NR systems. A crosslink density measurement suggested effective rubber-fibers interaction in combined alkali/silane treated JFs filled NR composite. Morphological analysis confirmed the improvement in the interfacial bonding between NR matrix and JFs due to combined alkali/silane treatment allowing an efficient “stress-transfer” mechanism. As a whole, combined alkali/silane treatment was found to be most efficient surface treatment method to develop strong interfacial adhesion between NR matrix and JFs.

Highlights

Short fiber reinforced rubber composites are commonly used for the manufacturing of several industrial products such as hoses, seals, tire treads, V-belts, complex-shaped goods, etc. [1,2]
Diffraction peak intensities of surface treated jute fibers (JFs) showed clear increment as compared to untreated JFs. This result was due to the increase in the ratio of crystalline cellulose resulting from the removal of amorphous waxy substances after surface treatments [27]
The main goal of the present study was to elucidate the potential of different surface treated JFs as

Summary

Introduction

Short fiber reinforced rubber composites are commonly used for the manufacturing of several industrial products such as hoses, seals, tire treads, V-belts, complex-shaped goods, etc. [1,2]. Natural fibers are bio-based renewable materials with some interesting features like high specific strength, low self-weight, unrestricted formability and resistance to corrosion [4,5]. Among the various non-petroleum based materials, natural occurring jute fibers (JFs) are one of the most promising alternatives to traditional petroleum based fillers for the development of environmentally friendly rubber composites. In the last two decades, due to upward environmental awareness, there is an increasing demand for the development of natural fiber based green and sustainable rubber composites. Compared to petroleum based materials, natural fibers have some additional advantages, i.e., availability, biodegradability, light-weight, low-cost, renewability and non-toxic nature [9,25]. The proper dispersion of short natural fibers in natural rubber (NR) composites is a challenging task due to the poor compatibility between the hydrophilic natural fibers and the hydrophobic rubber matrix

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