Mechanical properties of jute fibers and interface strength with an epoxy resin

Abstract

Four different forms of jute fibers, namely untreated jute filament (UJF), sliver jute filament (SJF), bleached jute filament (BJF), and mercerized jute filament (MJF), have been subjected to tensile strength analysis following Weibull's theory. The MJF and BJF were obtained by the chemical modification of the UJF. A minimum of 50 fibers of each type, at three different gauge lengths, i.e., 15, 30, and 50 mm, were used to study the strength distribution and the effect of gauge length. The mean fiber strength was found to be the maximum for UJF followed, in the order, by BJF, MJF, and SJF (∼ 700, ∼ 660, ∼ 580, and ∼ 540 MPa, respectively, at 50-mm gauge length). The strength was also found to decrease with an increase in gauge length. In all cases, good agreement was found with Weibull's statistical model. Single fiber composite tests, with an epoxy resin as the matrix, were carried out determine the critical fragment lengths and interfacial strength, following the Kelly–Tyson approach. The BJF was found to have the maximum interfacial adhesion (τ ≈ 140 MPa) followed by UJF, SJF, and MJF having τ values of ∼ 83, ∼ 57, and ∼ 47 MPa, respectively. Scanning electron microscope pictures showed the fiber surface was physically modified by the various treatments. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 1585–1596, 2000