Evaluation of conductivity and mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced soy‐melamine formaldehyde based green composite

Abstract

AbstractThis article presents the preparation and characterization of jute‐based green composite using various concentrations of melamine formaldehyde modified soy resin. Highest tensile strength of 62.1 MPa was obtained for 50 wt.% melamine formaldehyde modified soy resin‐based jute‐composite due to formation of synergic bonding between melamine formaldehyde, soy protein and cellulose of jute. Other tensile and flexural properties were also enhanced with increase in melamine formaldehyde content from 0 to 50 wt.%. Storage modulus of developed composite (50 wt.%) was enhanced by 8.48 times as compared to that of soy‐jute composite (0 wt.% melamine formaldehyde). Water absorption of optimum composite was reduced by 45% than that of the normal jute‐soy composite. With increase in melamine formaldehyde content (0–100 wt.%), surface electrical insulation and fire retardance properties of composite were also enhanced drastically. Weight loss data and scanning electron microscopic images of degraded composites after 180 days under soil burial condition revealed that developed composites are bio‐degradable in nature and can replace non‐degradable plastic in different industrial sectors like railway coaches, packaging sector, decorative commodity material, and so on.