Influence of fiber content and chemical modifications on the transport properties of PP/jute commingled biocomposites

Abstract

This article aims at the investigation of the effect of five different parameters on the transport behavior of PP/jute yarn commingled eco‐composites. The high affinity of jute yarns to moisture (hydrophilic nature) favored the water absorption whereas xylene and toluene diffusion through PP/jute commingled system reduced with increasing fiber content. Chemical treatments increased the interfacial adhesion between the matrix and jute yarns resulting in lesser number of voids and other irregularities at the interface and also resulted in a reduction in the hydrophilic tendency of jute yarns. This led to a decrease in apparent weight gain % with different treatments. The activation energy for the solvent xylene increased with the increase in fiber content owing to the hindering of motion of the solvent molecules by the reinforcing jute yarns whereas for the solvent water, the activation energy decreases with increase in fiber content due to the hydrophilic nature of jute yarns. The analysis of mechanism of transport revealed that the diffusion of water through the composites very nearly follow Fickian mode of transport whereas for the solvent xylene it deviates from it. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E250–E260, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers