Studies on the Relative Degradation and Interfacial Properties Between Jute/Polypropylene and Jute/Natural Rubber Composites

Abstract

Jute fabrics (hessian cloth) reinforced polypropylene (PP) matrix composites (30% fiber by weight) were fabricated by compression molding. Tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), and percentage elongation at break (Eb) of the composites were found to be 32 MPa, 740 MPa, and 16%, respectively. Then jute fabrics reinforced solid natural rubber (NR)-based composites (30% fiber by weight) were also fabricated and it was found that TS, TM, and Eb of the jute/NR composites were 14 MPa, 120 MPa, and 94%, respectively. The mechanical properties of jute/PP and jute/NR composites were compared. Six weeks of degradation of the composites were performed in aqueous medium and it was found that jute/NR composites lost much of its original strength and modulus compared to that of the jute/PP composites. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of the jute/PP and jute/NR systems was investigated by using the single fiber fragmentation tests. The IFSS of jute/PP and jute/NR systems appeared to be 2.16 and 0.89 MPa, respectively. Fracture side of the composites was also studied by scanning electron microscope and suggested better fiber matrix adhesion between jute fiber and PP.