Effect of Oxidizing Agents on Thermo-Mechanical Behavior of Jute Fabric-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Abstract

Jute fabrics reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by compression molding. Tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), bending strength (BS), bending modulus (BM) and impact strength (IS) of the composites were studied. To investigate the effect of oxidizing agents on the properties of the composites, jute fabrics were treated separately with the aqueous solutions of (0.005-0.05%w/v) potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) and (0.0025-0.04%w/v) potassium permanganate (KMnO4). The highest values of mechanical properties were reported for 0.02% K2Cr2O7 and 0.01% KMnO4 treatment. Thermal analysis of PP, treated and untreated jute fabrics and composites revealed that KMnO4 treatment lowers the thermal stability of the jute fabrics and composite. On the other hand, K2Cr2O7 treatment increases the stability of the fibers and composites. Hydrophilic nature of the treated composites was also reduced significantly.