Jute composite with MMA by gamma and UV radiations in the presence of additives

Abstract

Jute yarns treated with MMA + MeOH solutions were irradiated either with Co-60 gamma source or with UV radiation. In gamma radiation, polymer loading of MMA (methyl methacrylate) onto jute increased quite substantially, but the strength of the composite decreases sharply after 15% polymer loading. The gamma-treated jute samples were very brittle. On the other hand, jute yarns irradiated in situ under UV radiation was found to be grafted with MMA. The tensile strength of the UV-cured jute yarn composite increases with an increase of grafting level, in contrast to the behavior observed with the gamma-irradiated jute composite samples. The tensile properties of the composites can be further enhanced by the incorporation of certain additives and coadditives into MMA + MeOH solutions. This opens diverse applications for jute materials. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 900–906, 1999