Mechanical property evaluation of alkali-treated jute fiber reinforced bio-epoxy composite materials

Abstract

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites have proved to be fit for use in several structural and functional applications. Jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites are one of the most preferred natural fiber-based polymer composites. The emerging need for high strength application while considering environmental sustainability and with the advent of bio-composites, the researchers, in recent times, started showing interest in incorporating the various bio-based resins in the composites. The present work thus aims at investigating the possibilities of making jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites with alkali-treated fibers and cashew nut shell liquid blended epoxy resins. The feasibility is tested through the mechanical properties, which is quantified using tensile strength and flexural strength. The modified matrix in the prepared composites is based on the variation in the weight percentage of cashew nut shell liquid (25 and 30%). The results indicate that it is possible to make better composites using the modified matrix and alkaline treated jute fibers as the mechanical properties outperform the jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites made using conventional epoxy resin and untreated jute fibers. The best amongst all the variants made, the one that proved to be the best JFRE composite is having alkaline treated fiber and blend 2, which exhibits an average tensile strength of 679 MPa, and flexural strength of 88.83 MPa.