Mechanical properties of the Jute fibers-activated carbon filled reinforced polyester composites

Abstract

Effects of adding activated carbon particles (AC) on the mechanical properties of the bulk polyester and jute fibers/polyester composites were investigated. Four loading ratios of AC particles (1, 3, 5, and 10 wt%) were used to fill the polyester matrix. Jute fibers were treated in NaOH solution to improve their adhesion with the polyester matrix. Tensile, flexural and impact tests were conducted to specimens prepared from bulk polyester, AC-filled polyester, and jute fibers/polyester with and without AC filler. The results showed that tensile strength, flexural strength, and strain-to-failure of the polyester and jute/polyester specimens decreased as the AC particles loading was increased. However, tensile and flexural moduli increased with increasing the AC filler loading up to 3 wt% and then started to decrease after reaching their maximum values. The impact strength of the bulk polyester decreased as the AC loading was increased. However, incorporation of 3 wt% of AC into the jute/polyester composite increased its impact strength from ∼4.3 to ∼6.4 kJ m−2. The key conclusion suggests that adding of AC particle into jute fibers/polyester composites can improve their stiffness; meanwhile, their strength and ductility have been sacrificed.