Influence of fiber surface treatments on physico-mechanical behaviour of jute/epoxy composites impregnated with aluminium oxide filler

Abstract

The present paper discovers the effect of ceramic filler inclusion on physico-mechanical and water absorption behaviour of untreated and chemically treated (alkali and benzoyl chloride treated) bi-directional jute natural-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. In practice, the major drawbacks of using natural fibers are their high degree of moisture absorption and poor dimensional stability. Currently, chemical treatments are able to induce fiber modifications that increase their resistance when utilized in composite products. Jute fibers were subjected to various chemical modifications to improve the interfacial bonding with the matrix. In this study, an analysis has been carried out to make pre-treated jute fiber (10, 20, 30 and 40 wt.%) and different filler content (5 and 10 wt.%) with epoxy-based composites. A comparative study of all the untreated jute/aluminium oxide based hybrid composites with chemically treated jute/aluminium oxide based hybrid composites was carried out. The investigational result reveals that chemically treated composites considerably improved the mechanical properties of the composite. The maximum water absorption resistance and strength properties were found with benzoyl chloride-treated fiber-reinforced composite. Lastly, the surface morphology of fractured surfaces after tensile and flexural testing is studied using scanning electron microscope.