Surface treatment of jute fibre using eco-friendly method and its use in PP composites

Abstract

Abstract Jute fibre finds application as filler in many polymer matrices. Polypropylene(PP) is a polyolefin which has found to be used extensively in applications where low density and optimum strength is require because of it optimum melting point and ease of processability. Jute has been used as filler in PP. However due to problem in interface adhesion of PP and jute, surface treatment and coupling agent have been used to improve interfacial adhesion. But in all these methods chemicals are used to improve the interfacial adhesion which affect environment and also the people working with it. Here we have used a eco-friendly method to modify the surface of jute. The method involves the treatment of fibre using enzyme. Jute fibre was treated using various concentration of the enzymes and optimum enzyme content was chosen. Modified Jute fibre was used in different concentrations in PP and mechanical properties and thermal properties of the composites were studied.