Short Jute Fiber Research Articles

Tensile Properties of Successive Alkali Treated Short Jute Fiber Reinforced PLA Composites

The natural fiber reinforced biodegradable polymer composites were prepared with short jute fiber as reinforcement and PLA as matrix. The short jute fiber is successively treated with NaOH at various concentrations (5%, 10% and 15%) and with H2O2. The composites were prepared with various weight proportions (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% & 25%) of untreated and treated jute fibers in PLA matrix. The effect of fiber loading and concentration of alkali treatment on mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that the tensile properties of composites with successive treated fiber at higher fibre loading were better than those of composites with untreated fiber. The composite with successively treated jute fibre at 10% NaOH and H2O2 with 20% fiber loading has shown 7.5% increase in tensile strength than that of neat PLA and untreated jute/PLA composite. The tensile modulus of composite with 10% NaOH/H2O2 treated fibers at higher fibre loading was 125% and 40% higher than that of neat PLA and untreated fiber/PLA composite respectively. Surface morphologies of fractured surfaces of the composites were studied using SEM method.

Studies on Tribological Behavior of Polyamide Filled Jute Fiber-Nano-ZnO Hybrid Composites

In this study, the tribological performance of Polyamide (PA) based hybrid composites have filled with short jute fibers (JF) and nano ZnO particles, which are fabricated with different volume fractions, and it was machined (test specimens) as per ASTM-G99 standard. Wear tests were conducted by pin-on-disc (POD) test rig, is a new test setup for online measuring of wear rate (WR) and friction coefficient (COF). Experiments were conducted based on central composite rotatable design (CCD), with the input parameters like normal force (NF), sliding velocity (SV) and reinforcements (RF) on wear rate and friction coefficient. The mathematical models were developed by using response surface methodology (RSM). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test also carried out to check the adequacy of the developed empirical models. The debris and the worn out surfaces were observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM). Despite extensive research on composites, determining the desirable operating conditions in industrial setting still relies on the skill of the operators and trial-and-error methods. The main intension of this work is to optimize the tribological variables for minimum wear and friction based on multi-objective optimization techniques (MOOT). This was probably due to the fact that PA has good flexibility and for the incorporation of reinforcements, it is believed that a continuous thin coherent transfer films and tribo chemical reactions were involved by hybrid composites on the steel counterface, which contributes a lower friction and wear. This debris was re-adhered on the mating surfaces which improves the wear resistance and prevent the oxidation and degradation behavior more effectively, which might be one of the anti-wear mechanisms of nano ZnO fillers. Both wear rate and friction coefficient of the hybrid composites were significantly lower than those of the pure polyamide.

Gamma-irradiated jute/polypropylene composites by extrusion molding

Short jute fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP)-based partially biodegradable composites (5–30 wt.% fiber) were prepared by extrusion followed by compression molding process. Short jute fibers acted as potential reinforcing agents for PP matrix. Tensile strength, bending strength, tensile modulus, bending modulus, and elongation at break of the composites (20% jute) were found to be 27 MPa, 36 MPa, 0.74 GPa, 2.4 GPa, and 78%, respectively. The prepared composites (20% fiber) were exposed to gamma radiation (2.5–10 kGy). The irradiated (5 kGy) composites (20% jute) gained significantly higher strength and modulus than un-irradiated composites. Six months soil degradation tests revealed that irradiated composites retained much of its mechanical properties than their control counterpart composites. A reaction mechanism was proposed between jute and PP due to irradiation treatment. Surface and interface morphologies of the composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy.

Investigating and Optimizing the Process Variables Related to the Tensile Properties of Short Jute Fiber Reinforced with Polypropylene Composite Board

The effect of temperature, pressure, and time on the tensile strength of jute fiber composite has been studied. The process of preparing the composite specimens is discussed. The best tensile properties were observed if the composite board is manufactured using high pressure and moderate temperature. For tensile strength, the time does not play a significant role. The study identifies the principal experimental pressure variables, which have the greatest effect on the tensile strength of the composite. The composite boards were subjected to tensile tests and the fractured surfaces were observed under SEM. The SEM photomicrographs of the fractured surfaces of the composite board show diverse extents of fiber pull-outs under tensile failure. The tensile strength values are in good concurrence with predicted values and were found have a correlation coefficient of 96%.

Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate on the Mechanical and Degradation Properties of Short Jute Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composite by Extrusion Technique

Short jute fibers and the pellets of polypropylene (PP) were compounded to make composites with the help of an extruder followed by compression molding. The mechanical properties of the composites increased with the increase of fiber content up to 20%, then decreased while the jute content varied from 5 to 30 wt%. Composites with varying percentages (5 to 20%) of sodium bi-carbonate at constant (20%) jute content were made by same process. The mechanical properties, soil degradation tests, and the water uptake capacity of the composites were investigated properly. Also, the density of the composite was reduced up to 21.54%.

A fabrication process of high volume fraction of jute fiber/polylactide composites for truck liner

Aiming at the green manufacturing technology of automotive industry, in the past, some researchers have developed green materials—fully degradable natural fiber reinforced polylactide composites. In the researches, the natural fiber volume fraction (or weight fraction) ranges from 20% to 55%. In order to lower the cost of the composites, an effective way is to increase natural fiber volume fraction and decrease polylactide fraction. In this research, a more uniform fiber blending method is employed, and the natural fiber volume fraction is increased to 70%. The fabrication process includes two steps: felt making and hot pressed molding. Short jute fiber and short PLA fiber are blended on a fiber opening machine in terms of fiber volume fractions, 60% and 70% respectively. The mixtures are carded and needle punched to make felt. Then the felt is hot pressed at 180 °C, and the jute/PLA composites are fabricated. Mechanical properties of the composites with different fiber volume fractions are investigated. Real size truck liners are successfully manufactured. The composites have very good formability and processability.

Mechanical Behavior of Jute Fiber-Cement Based Composites

This study presents the results of the mechanical characterization of short jute fiber cement mortar composites. Compression, direct tension and bending tests were performed to determine the first crack, post-peak strength, toughness and fracture processes of the composites. To ensure the composite durability, the ordinary Portland cement matrix was modified by adding metakaolin to consume the calcium hydroxide generated during Portland cement hydration. The composites were produced using reinforcement ratios of 2% and 3% of short jute fiber (25 mm) in a self-compacting matrix of maximum packing. Jute plant is easy to grow in the Amazon region of Brazil where arrived in early 30s coming from Asia and represents the main economic activity of the Amazon riverine population. The tensile behavior of this high performance natural reinforcement was determined in the present study using 30 mm long fiber. Composites with high toughness, strength and multiple cracking processes under bending load were obtained when volume fractions equal to 3% were used as reinforcement.

Production and Properties of Short Jute and Short E-Glass Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene-Based Composites

Short jute fiber (2 - 3 mm) reinforced polypropylene PP-based composites (20% fiber by weight) were fabricated using compression molding and the mechanical properties were evaluated. Tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), elongation at break (Eb%), flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), impact strength (IS), and hardness of the composites were found to be 32 MPa, 850 MPa, 12%, 38 MPa, 1685 MPa, 18 kJ/m2 and 96 shore-A, respectively. Then short E-glass fiber (2 - 3 mm) reinforced PP-based composites (20% fiber by weight) were fabricated and mechanical properties were compared with short jute-based composites. Short jute-based composites showed excellent mechanical properties and comparable to short E-glass-based composites. Soil degradation test of both types of composites indi-cated that jute/PP composites significantly lost much of its mechanical properties but E-glass/PP composites retained major portion of its original integrity. Interfaces of the degraded composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and supported the biodegradation properties of jute/PP composites.

An experimental study on the behavior of PP/EPDM/JUTE composites in impact, tensile and bending loadings

This article deals with the experimental investigation of the mechanical properties of short jute fibers reinforced poly-propylene (PP) and ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer (EPDM) composites with various fiber contents (5, 10, 20, and 30% by weight) under Charpy impact (unnotched and notched), tensile, and three point bending tests. To increase the interfacial adhesion between the composite constituents, compatibilizer maleic anhydride poly-propylene (MAPP) is used in the fabrication process of composite specimens. The standard specimens were prepared using an injection molding machine. The results show that by adding EPDM to PP, the impact strength is increased for unnotched and notched specimens. The elongation at break is also increased for all the specimens, but the tensile and bending strength are decreased. Furthermore, by adding higher values of wt% of jute fibers, the tensile properties are improved and the impact and bending strengths are reduced as compared with pure PP.

Fully Degradable Jute Fiber Reinforced Polylactide Composites Applicable to Car Interior Panel

In this research, short jute fiber reinforced polylactide composite, unidirectional long fiber reinforced polylactide composite and a sandwich structure polylactide composite were fabricated and the mechanical properties were tested. The mechanical properties of the fabricated composites were compared with those of a prototype spare tyre compartment cover of a passenger car. Tensile strength and flexural strength of all the composites are higher than those of the spare tyre compartment cover. The results show that the polylactide composites are applicable to car interior plates.

Dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of PE‐EPDM based jute fiber composites

AbstractThe present investigation deals with the mechanical, thermal and viscoelastic properties of ternary composites based on low density polyethylene (LDPE)‐ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM) blend and high density polyethylene (HDPE)‐EPDM blend reinforced with short jute fibers. For all the untreated and compatibilizer treated composites, the variation of mechanical and viscoelastic properties as a function of fiber loading (10, 20 and 30 wt %) and compatibilizer concentration (1, 2, and 3%) were evaluated. The flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and hardness increased with increasing both the fiber loading and the compatibilizer dose. The storage modulus (E′) and loss modulus (E″) of the HDPE‐EPDM/jute fiber composites were recorded higher compared to those of the LDPE‐EPDM/jute fiber composites at all level of fiber loading and compatibilizer doses. The tanδ (damping efficiency) spectra showed a strong influence of the fiber loading and compatibilizer dose on the α relaxation process of polymer matrix in the composite. The thermo‐oxidative stability was significantly enhanced for treated composites compared to untreated composites. Scanning electron microscopy investigation confirmed that the higher values of mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the treated composites compared to untreated composites is caused by improvement of fiber‐matrix adhesion as result of compatibilizer treatment. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008

Mechanical and Rheological Characterization of Treated Jute-HDPE Composites with a Different Morphology

The present article summarizes an experimental study on the mechanical and rheological behavior of high density polyethylene (HDPE)/jute composites. HDPE with short jute fibers of 6 mm length are melt-mixed employing Haake torque rheocord followed by compression molding. Various types of chemical treatments such as mercerization, cyanoethylation, coupling agent treatment, etc. are performed to improve interfacial adhesion between the fibers and HDPE matrix. Variations in fiber loading, surface treatment, coupling agent concentration, and treatment time period as a function of mechanical strength are studied. Mechanical tests show that composites treated with 1% maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) exhibit an increase of 47.3, 26.4, and 28.1% in tensile, flexural, and impact strengths, respectively. The melt viscosity and die swell ratio of the composites with an increase in shear rate, fiber loading, and coupling agent concentration are also investigated using a capillary rheometer. Further, the dynamic viscoelastic behavior of the composites is measured by employing a parallel plate rheometer. Time-temperature superposition is applied to generate various viscoelastic master curves. The treated composites display an increase in storage modulus and complex viscosity indicating improved interfacial adhesion. The fiber-matrix morphology of the extrudates is also examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Injection molding of polypropylene reinforced with short jute fibers

Composites with polypropylene (PP) and jute fiber were prepared by injection molding technique. Maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene was added as coupling agent to improve the adhesion between jute fiber and PP. A high fiber attrition was noted during injection molding, which had negative effects on the mechanical properties of the composites. The coupling agent improved the tensile and bending strengths, however the elastic and bending moduli were found not to be influenced by the coupling agent. The role of the average fiber length in strengthening of the composites was interpreted with help of the critical fiber length. Fracture surfaces of the composites, and the fiber orientations, were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, respectively. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Stress relaxation in short jute fiber-reinforced nitrile rubber composites

Stress relaxation measurements in tension have been made on nitrile rubber vulcanizates containing short jute fibers. The effects of strain level, bonding system (silica-resorcinol-hexa), fiber orientation, fiber content, temperature, and prestraining on the rate of stress relaxation have been investigated. Existence of a relaxation mechanism within the first 200 s is reported.

Short Jute Fiber Reinforced Carboxylated Nitrile Rubber

Abstract Silica is not an essential component in the bonding system in XNBR-jute fiber systems. Mechanical anisotropy is observable only at the higher fiber loadings (40 phr and above) in XNBR-jute fiber composites. In composites containing sufficient amounts of bonding agent and fibers for tensile-strength anisotropy to be observed, tensile failure occurs by both fiber breakage and debonding. Fibers increase the aging resistance of XNBR composites. Mill shrinkage and green strength of XNBR improve, while Mooney viscosity increases and scorch time decreases with the addition of jute fiber to XNBR.