Jute Research Articles

Comparative study on externally bonded heat-treated jute and glass fiber reinforcement for repair of pre-cracked high performance concrete beams

Comparative study on externally bonded heat-treated jute and glass fiber reinforcement for repair of pre-cracked high performance concrete beams

Burst pressure prediction of carbon/natural fiber and hybrid composite pressure vessels by theoretical and numerical analysis

This study utilized finite element modeling to assess the stress and burst strength of a composite pressure vessel (CPV). The fiber type and its sequences were considered while developing the best CPV. The stress produced inside the CPV may cause damage to the vessel as well as loss of life and property. Therefore, it is critical to guarantee that the CPV's stress output does not surpass the vessel material's maximum allowable stress value. The primary goal of this research is to investigate the stresses induced in composite pressure vessels and then examine the stress using three different solutions: von Mises, Tresca, and ASSY. The theoretical burst strength is first established, and then a numerical solution is developed using ABAQUS. To confirm the correctness of FEA, the outcomes of the theoretical technique and the finite element method are compared. The six-layer carbon fiber-reinforced CPV shows twelve times higher burst strength than four layers but an equal thickness of jute fiber-based CPV. On the other hand, the hybrid combination of CPV (jute and carbon) shows a strength improvement over jute fiber based CPV by almost four times. Other jute fiber-based hybrid CPVs with glass, banana, and aluminum foil show very comparable strength relative to only jute CPV. This study's primary goal is to examine the failure phenomena and burst strength of thin, cylindrical pressure vessels.

Interlaminar shear and impact properties of particle reinforced jute fiber/epoxy hybrid composites

In today’s world, there is a growing emphasis on using fiber-reinforced composites carefully across diverse sectors like automotive, construction, machinery and appliances. These materials are valued for their capacity to be efficiently repurposed, recycled or disposed of with minimal ecological consequences. Thus, integrating sustainable, eco-friendly and environmental mindful approaches into developing new materials and processes has become increasingly imperative. This study aims to analyze the impact strength, inter laminar shear strength and water absorption capacity of the jute fiber composite filled with the particles like alumina (Al2O3), boron carbide (B4C) and silicon carbide (SiC). The response surface methodology (RSM), employing three levels and three parameters, enables the identification of distinct combinations of input parameters essential for the fabrication of suitable polymer composites. The effects of process factors on interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), impact strength and % weight increase are examined. For each output measures, the connotation of the input parameters is determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA). To establish multiple performance indexes, a hybrid model called adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) based on Grey theory is developed. The model’s capability is validated and the results confirm the effective prediction of the preferred performance indicator.

PREDICTION OF TORQUE IN DRILLING WOVEN JUTE FABRIC REINFORCED EPOXY COMPOSITES USING THE ADAPTIVE NETWORK-BASED FUZZY INFERENCE SYSTEM AND RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

Jute fiber reinforced epoxy (JREp) composites were prepared by the compression moulding technique by varying the fiber content (0, 20, 30 and 40 wt%). Fabricated JREp composites were subjected to a drilling study to observe the impact of factors such as spindle speed (rpm), feed rate (mm/min) and fiber content (wt%) on the output response – torque. A set of experiments were designed and conducted as per Taguchi’s Design of Experiment. The obtained torque results were found in the range from 14.84 to 32.28 N-m. The minimum value of torque was achieved for the composite drilled using an HSS twist drill (90°-point angle) at a high spindle speed (3000 rpm), with low feed rate (25 mm/min) on low fiber loaded JREp composite (20JREp). ANOVA analysis showed that the developed regression model was fairly significant and torque was mainly influenced by the feed rate. Mathematical models were developed for drilling JREp composites using response surface methodology (RSM) and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), and compared for their efficacy. The coefficient of determination (R2) values for RSM and ANFIS were 0.9778 and 0.9982, respectively, which conveys that both models were beneficial to predict the torque. The average checking error percentage (0.0000222) was obtained for the ANFIS model trained using ‘gbellmf’ membership function with 100 epochs. FESEM images of the drilled surface were captured to analyse the mode of failure endured by the JREp composites.

Non-destructive reverberant testing of natural fibrous samples in a diffused acoustic field environment

A hexahedron reverberation box was utilized to measure the reverberation time of samples in a diffuse acoustic field. The aim of this study is to design a mathematical model that accurately represents the correlation between frequency and absorption coefficient for analysis. The same was obtained by aligning the noise absorption coefficients (NACs) determined through an impedance tube and calculated based on the reverberation time. The analysis indicated that jute fiber exhibits superior performance compared to other natural fibers, such as rock and glass wool, in the attenuation of sound frequencies above 2200 Hz. The results motivated further investigation over jute nonwoven fabric to conduct layer analysis (1–7) and to examine the impact of thickness. Thereby, a dataset was compiled consisting of 11 fibrous samples (nine natural and two commercial fibers) and jute nonwoven fabric. The empirical model was developed regardless of the type of fiber or thickness of the nonwoven fabric, and it was successfully validated for three additional fibers (banana, pineapple, and ramie). The predictive model exhibited a high level of accuracy in estimating the NAC, displaying a strong similarity to that of impedance tube measurements. The achieved mean absolute error ranges for the predictions are between 0.02 and 0.03 only. The main discovery of this study revolves around the recognition of frequency of sound as a crucial variable and its application in predicting the NAC for the samples.

Cellulose Sulfate Nanofibers for Enhanced Ammonium Removal.

In this study, a sulfonation approach using chlorosulfonic acid (CSA) to prepare cellulose sulfate nanofibers (CSNFs) from raw jute fibers is demonstrated. Both elemental sulfur content and zeta potential in the CSNFs are found to increase with increasing CSA content used. However, the corresponding crystallinity in the CSNFs decreases with the increasing amount of CSA used due to degradation of cellulose chains under harsh acidic conditions. The ammonium adsorption results from the CSNFs with varying degrees of sulfonation were analyzed using the Langmuir isotherm model, and the analysis showed a very high maximum ammonium adsorption capacity (41.1 mg/g) under neutral pH, comparable to the best value from a synthetic hydrogel in the literature. The high ammonium adsorption capacity of the CSNFs was found to be maintained in a broad acidic range (pH = 2.5 to 6.5).

Experimental Global Warming Potential-Weighted Specific Stiffness Comparison among Different Natural and Synthetic Fibers in a Composite Component Manufactured by Tailored Fiber Placement.

This work aims to evaluate experimentally different fibers and resins in a topologically optimized composite component. The selected ones are made of carbon, glass, basalt, flax, hemp, and jute fibers. Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) was used to manufacture the textile preforms, which were infused with two different epoxy resins: a partly biogenic and a fully petro-based one. The main objective is to evaluate and compare the absolute and specific mechanical performance of synthetic and natural fibers within a component framework as a base for improving assessments of sustainable endless-fiber reinforced composite material. Furthermore, manufacturing aspects regarding the different fibers are also considered in this work. In assessing the efficiency of the fiber-matrix systems, both the specific stiffness and the specific stiffness relative to carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq.) as measures for the global warming potential (GWP) are taken into account for comparison. The primary findings indicate that basalt and flax fibers outperform carbon fibers notably in terms of specific stiffness weighted by CO2eq.. Additionally, the selection of epoxy resin significantly influences the assessment of sustainable fiber-plastic composites.

Waste natural fibers for polymer toughening and biodegradability of epoxy-based polymer composite through toughness and thermal analysis

Polymeric materials are being increasingly used to replace many metallic components due to their beneficial properties such as higher strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. However, the widespread use of polymers poses a risk to the environment as they are not biodegradable. The addition of the waste jute fiber and sawdust fiber as reinforcement to the epoxy resin improved its toughness and induced the biodegradability of the polymer. To examine the effect of the jute fiber and sawdust fiber on biodegradability, the composites were then kept in the drainage system for one year, and the impact energy and fracture morphology of the as-cast and weathered samples were examined using a drop ball impact test and a Charpy impact test. During the weathering period, weight gain was initially observed due to the water absorption by the porous fibers, but after three months, the composites started to lose weight due to the degradation of the fiber by swelling and microbial attacks. Microorganisms in the drainage system used the fiber as their energy source, which resulted in the deterioration of the fiber and the production of CO2. The production of CO2 was identified by the FTIR analysis of the weathered composite samples. TGA analysis of the as-cast and weathered samples reveals the reduction of the onset thermal degradation temperature of the weathered composites due to the degradation of the composites. The fiber disintegrated through microbial attack and the fiber swelling caused by the absorption of water by jute fiber and sawdust fiber is identified through SEM imaging. The SEM image also reveals the formation of biofilms and the growth of microorganisms at the fibers. A higher growth rate of the microorganisms was observed in the jute fiber composite than in the sawdust fiber composite, as sawdust contains a high level of lignin that protects it from degradation. The results of this study suggest that both sawdust fiber and jute fiber composites induce biodegradability in the epoxy matrix, but jute fiber was more prominent in this regard. The discovery paves the way for using natural fibers in biodegradable polymer composites, reducing polymeric pollution in the environment.

Influence of layering sequence on performance of jute/wool epoxy hybrid composites: a comparative study with automotive plastic

Natural fibres such as Jute and Wool are increasingly being used in fibre reinforced polymer composites, hence progressively supplanting synthetic fibres. Combining these two unique natural fibers would improve the performance of composites used in secondary structural applications. This study is intended to investigate the effects of Jute and Wool fiber arrangement on mechanical properties in an epoxy matrix. In order to achieve this, hand layup was employed to fabricate composite laminates consisting of four layered fabric layers stacked in sequences, as Jute/Wool/Wool/Jute (JW1), Wool/Jute/Jute/Wool (JW2), Jute/Wool/Jute/Wool (JW3), and Jute/Jute/Wool/Wool (JW4). Effect of these stacking sequences on the properties of Natural Fibre Hybrid Composites (NFHCs) was evaluated by conducting a series of standardized tests such as Flexural, Interlaminar Shear Strength (ILSS), Impact and Single End Notch Bend (SENB) tests, as per ASTM standards. On the other hand an automobile interior thermoplastic material was evaluated for different mechanical properties and compared with hybrid Jute-Wool composite. Experimental results showed that the JW1 composite, exhibited superior mechanical properties because it has tailored with a Wool fabric at the core and Jute fabric on its outer surface. Hence, JW1 had a remarkable tensile strength of 40 MPa, a maximum flexural strength of 99 MPa and extremely high interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of 3.09 MPa. In addition to this, JW1 also had high fracture toughness, measuring around 72 M P a m 1 /2, and impressive impact strength of 85 J/m2. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) photo images confirmed that the presence of strong bonding between the fibres and matrix in JW1 composite exhibited and overall improvement of mechanical performance by 82% when compared with other combinations (JW2, JW3, and JW4) including automotive plastics.

Effect of rice husk on the mechanical characteristics of abaca/jute hybrid composites

AbstractNatural fiber‐reinforced composites play a vital role in all areas due to their significant material properties. In this investigation, abaca/ jute fiber reinforced with rice husk filler hybrid composites have been prepared through a compression moulding process. Three different compositions of laminates were prepared with weight percentages of rice husk filler such as 1 wt. %, 2 wt. %, and 3 wt. %. Further, the mechanical properties of the prepared hybrid composite have been investigated as per the ASTM standards. Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy analysis has also been carried out to study the organic groups formed in the prepared hybrid composites. The tensile morphology of the material has also been carried out using scanning electron microscopy, to study the bonding of the fiber and the hybrid matrix. The analysis revealed that the mechanical properties of the hybrid composite were improved by the inclusion of rice husk as a filler. From the tensile morphology, the addition of rice husk increases the surface area of the matrix material, which results in an improvement in the bonding between the matrix and the reinforcement.

Sisal and jute composite containing carbon nanotubes for improved mechanical and thermal performance

Natural fiber composites are often sought after in industries, such as automotive and aerospace, due to their low density compared to traditional synthetic composites. Sisal and jute are renewable and biodegradable resources, making them attractive from a sustainability standpoint. The effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) insertion of a composed sisal and jute fiber composite material on the thermal and mechanical characteristics is investigated in this study. The primary objective of this research is to determine the exceptional mechanical strength and heat resistance that allows the composite-filled filling CNT to perform better than others. The methodical experimental approach was used to evaluate the effect of sisal and jute matrix and different amounts of CNTs’ mechanical and thermal properties. Thermal behavior is found by thermogravimetric analysis, and mechanical performance is used to qualify tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact resistance. The result suggests that CNTs may have reinforcing properties and significant tensile and flexural strength improvement. Impact resistance improved and increased the toughness of the composite material. The 7% CNT composite exhibited improvements in tensile strength of 63.9% and flexural strength of 46.6%, suggesting the synergistic reinforcing effect of CNTs. The high temperature from the use of need resistance shows promise for the composite material based on the tests of its capability for heat absorption and thermal stability. Various technical contexts are potentially useful in focusing on environmentally friendly material creation that exhibits exceptional thermal and mechanical properties.

Variation of standardized precipitation index (SPI) over southern West Bengal and its effect on jute yield

West Bengal is a key producer of raw jute fiber in the country. Identifying and managing dry spells during the jute growing period is crucial, necessitating contingency crop planning for enhanced productivity. Keeping this view in mind, standardized precipitation index (SPI) was calculated over five locations, representing five different districts of southern West Bengal. These locations are Barrackpore (North 24 Parganas District), Panagarh (Burdwan District), Bagati (Hooghly District), Krishnanagar (Nadia District) and Uluberia (Howrah District). This rainfall dependent dryness index (SPI) was calculated in 1 month and 3 months interval to identify short term dryness as well as mid-term dryness, applicable for seasonal crops. The trend analysis of the SPI values indicated that North 24 Parganas and Nadia experienced increased dryness during vegetative phase of Jute. Nadia district showed a significant increase in both short term and long-term dryness. The yield reduction index is well correlated with SPI values in all the study locations except Howrah. Arrangement of irrigation during the early stages of Jute can help the crop to cope up with the break of monsoon in this region

Mechanical characterization of jute/carbon hybrid epoxy composites

In recent years, the use of hybrid composites consisting of natural and synthetic fibers has gained increasing attention due to their potential for improved mechanical performance and sustainability. The primary aim of this study was to explore the impact of integrating jute and carbon fiber components into hybrid composites on the enhancement of the materials’ mechanical properties. Jute and carbon bidirectional fabrics were used with a bi-component epoxy matrix in order to fabricate the hybrid composite materials. The carbon bidirectional fabrics were placed on the outer layers, while the jute fabrics were used as the core of the hybrid composites. The core fibers were controlled by the number of layers (5), while the synthetic outer layers were varied (1 and 2, symmetrically and asymmetrically). The composite materials were characterized mechanically via tensile, flexural and impact tests. The results show that both the hybridization technique and the reinforcement symmetry significantly affect the general mechanical properties. In the analysis of tensile properties, a consistent monotonic increase in enhancement tendencies was observed with an increasing fraction of carbon fibers. Conversely, under flexion, a plateau was evident with regard to the hybridization architectural variations, although this behavior was not observed for the flexural modulus, which exhibited a continuous monotonic enhancement relative to the fraction of carbon fibers. Finally, under impact conditions, it was found that symmetry of the synthetic envelope is highly advantageous.

Bio‐marine shell powder‐filled jute fabric/epoxy composites: Chemical, combustion, and mechanical properties

AbstractNatural fiber/resin composites exhibit poor fiber–matrix compatibility and easy combustion. In this study, jute‐fiber‐reinforced epoxy resin was used to prepare composite materials by adding marine shell powder, which is a natural non‐combustible inorganic filler that originates from a variety of sources. The morphology, composition, thermal stability, combustion performance, and mechanical properties of the prepared composites were tested using several characterization methods. The results show that the marine shell powder was evenly distributed in the epoxy resin and did not affect the adhesion between the epoxy resin and the jute fiber. When 20% marine shell powder (SMJF20) was added to the jute‐fiber‐reinforced epoxy resin composite, the pyrolytic residual content was 21.88% (60.2% higher than that without), and the maximum heat release rate was 350.75 kW/m2 (22.8% lower than that without). The total heat release and total smoke release of SMJF20 were also 13.9% and 30% lower than that of MJF, respectively. The addition of marine shell powder did not significantly affect the tensile strength, whereas the tensile modulus of SMJF20 increased by approximately 13.9%, the fracture strain decreased by approximately 13.4%, and the bending strength and modulus decreased by approximately 12.9% and 13.0%, respectively. Marine shell powder is an ideal biomass filler for jute‐fiber‐reinforced epoxy resins.Highlights Jute‐fiber‐epoxy composites fortified with non‐combustible marine shell powder. Effective filler distribution without compromising epoxy‐jute fiber adhesion. 20% marine shell powder significantly reduces heat release and smoke release. Tensile strength unaffected; tensile modulus and residual content increased. Marine shell powder proves ideal for enhancing epoxy resin with jute fibers.

Investigating the effective parameters on the mechanical properties of composites reinforced by jute fiber in the compression molding process

Investigating the effective parameters on the mechanical properties of composites reinforced by jute fiber in the compression molding process

Mechanical characterization of novel Parthenium hysterophorus and Jute reinforced polymer matrix composites for light weight medium load applications and application of MADM-VIKOR approach

This study explores the use of natural fibers in composite materials to enhance mechanical properties and reduce water absorption for lightweight medium load applications. The approach involves hybridizing Parthenium hysterophorus (PH) and Jute with epoxy L-12 matrix in different stacking sequences to create four tri-layer composites. Mechanical tests following ASTM standards revealed that composites with Jute fibers on top and PH fibers in the middle exhibit superior mechanical performance and reduced water absorption, making them suitable for such applications. The tensile strength of composite (CP4) with PH fiber at center and Jute fibers at extreme was found to be 1.7 times higher compared to composite with all three layers of PH fiber (CP1). Similarly, the flexural strength and compressive strength of CP4 is found to be 60% and 80.5% more compared to CP1. Shore D hardness of CP4 is found to be 1.29 times better compared to CP1. Whereas the energy absorption due to impact load of CP1 is better compared to its counter parts wit CP1 exhibiting 71.15 times better compared to CP4. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of fractured surfaces provides insights into fiber bonding and fracture mechanisms. Overall, this research underscores the potential of natural fiber hybrid composites for improved mechanical characteristics and water resistance in various applications, highlighting specific fiber combinations and stacking sequences.

Experimental and numerical study of shear strengthening of reinforced concrete beams using jute fiber reinforced polymers (JFRP)

In the construction industry, reinforced concrete (R.C.) structures are externally strengthened using bonded steel plates, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) laminates. However, these materials' disadvantages include the high price of CFRP and GFRP laminates and the corrosion of steel plates. The alternative for strengthening R.C. structures might therefore be natural fiber-based composite sheets. This study’s goal was to create composite sheets made of local natural fibers (jute fiber), which are cheap, environmentally friendly, and sustainable, and a new local epoxy resin (NOVO BOND EB) with high strength, especially in bonding to concrete, and low cost for use in shear strengthening of R.C. structures. In the experimental programme, the sheets were made from jute fiber-reinforced polymer (JFRP). Three samples of JFRP were tested to determine the mechanical properties of this material. Twelve RC specimens of beams were prepared to study the effect of the variables of laminate manufactured from the JFRP, namely: number of layers (1-2–4), “wrapping configuration (strips – full length sheet) wrapping”, angle of strengthening (90°–45°), and shape (U–U with top cap–box). The proposed strengthened technique of externally bonded reinforcement (JFRP) was compared with a reference sample not strengthened in the shear. The failure patterns were monitored, in addition to recording the failure loads and vertical deflection values. According to the results, JFRP strengthening increased the RC beams' ultimate shear strength by 28 %–131 % when using the strip wrapping technique and by 140 %–175 % when using the full-length wrapping technique. Abaqus (Advanced Tool for Engineering Nonlinear Analysis) was also utilised for finite element analysis. The analysis’s findings agree well with the test findings. Jute textile FRP material has a great deal of potential as a structural strengthening material, as shown by JFRP strengthening. On the verified model, a parametric study was also carried out. Finally, equations for predicting shear strength were employed, and the outcomes of the experiments were compared.

Nano-clay treatment of jute fiber for reinforcement in polymer composites: Mechanical, morphological, and thermo-kinetic analysis

Natural fibers have demonstrated exceptional properties that can be utilized as a viable and environmentally reliable material for reinforcement in polymer composites replacing their synthetic counterparts creating numerous environmental problems. Jute fiber is a prominent natural fiber that has been successfully applied for manufacturing noble natural fiber-based composites. This article describes the advantages and comparison between two surface treatment techniques that is alkali treatment and nano-clay treatment of jute fiber to enhance the properties for producing improved composite material. FTIR, SEM, AFM, and TGA have been utilized to compare and study how different surface treatment methods affect jute fiber. Isoconversional methods FWO and KAS are applied for the thermos-kinetic analysis and evaluation of activation energy of thermal decomposition. More than 30% increase in peak activation energy has been observed (120 KJ/mole to 160 KJ/mol). Alkali–nano-clay treated jute fiber exhibits nearly 32% improvement (405 MPa to 535 MPa) in tensile strength, 24% increment (11.85 GPa to 14.69 GPa) in tensile modulus, and 15% improvement (1.4 gm/cm3 to 1.61 gm/cm3) in fiber density as compared to that of untreated jute fiber. This study validates that nano-clay treatment has shown promising results and can improve the overall properties of natural fibers significantly.

Export-Led Growth in Bangladesh: A Functional Impact Analysis of Export Performance and its Contribution

Bangladesh has a significant opportunity to boost economic development by increasing its contributions to international trade. Therefore, this study is aimed at presenting the trends of exporting in the early stages of economic development. Bangladesh's foreign trade trends from 2015 to 2019 revealed a positive growth trajectory despite a slight dip in goods imports. The anticipated decline in foreign trade performance in 2020 is reflective of the global challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the rate of receiving foreign exchange from the integrated foreign export of shrimp, leather, shoes, and pharmaceutical products is constantly increasing. The main exports, encompassing products like clothing, raw jute, leather, fish, and frozen seafood, play a vital role in driving the country's export dynamics. The country has achieved remarkable success in export expansion because of the RMG industry. It was found that total exports of goods rose to 37.94 billion U.S. dollars in 2019. However, the subsequent recovery in 2021 is evident, with notable growth in both imports and exports. Despite a persistently negative trade balance, the resilience showcased by Bangladesh in the face of challenges underscores its ability to rebound and adapt to changing circumstances.

Sustainable Retrofitting Solutions: Evaluating the Performance of Jute Fiber Nets and Composite Mortar in Natural Fiber Textile Reinforced Mortars

Sustainable Retrofitting Solutions: Evaluating the Performance of Jute Fiber Nets and Composite Mortar in Natural Fiber Textile Reinforced Mortars