Study on the Effect of Urea on the Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Jute/Gelatin Composites

Abstract

Composites of jute fabric and gelatin were prepared by solution casting or solution-impregnation technique. Jute content in the composite was optimized on the basis of their mechanical properties. Composite containing 50% jute showed best mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), bending strength (BS), bending modulus (BM) and impact strength (IS). Incorporation of urea into the composite showed better improvement in the mechanical properties than the untreated composites. Scanning electron micrographs of the urea treated composites showed better adhesion between gelatin matrix and jute fabrics.