Effect of Chemical Modification of Jute Fabrics on the Performance of Urethane Acrylate-based Composites

Abstract

Jute fabric-reinforced urethane acrylate-based composites were prepared using urethane acrylate oligomer (M-1200) in methanol solvent along with photoinitiator (Darocur-1173) followed by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Different formulations were prepared by varying oligomer in the solvent by 50—90% (by weight). Jute fabrics treated with 70% oligomer, 28% methanol, and 2% photoinitiator followed by UV radiation showed the best mechanical properties of the resulting composites. For further improvement of the mechanical properties of the composites, jute fabrics were first treated with different percentages of methylmethacrylate (MMA) in methanol with photoinitiator and cured under UV radiation and then again the composites were fabricated by the oligomer. Urea was incorporated into the MMA formulation and was found to have the potential to improve the mechanical properties of the composites.