Jute fiber reinforced polypropylene produced by continuous extrusion compounding, part 1: Processing and ageing properties

This article addresses the processing and ageing properties of jute fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites. The composite has been manufactured by a continuous extrusion process and results in free flowing composite granules, comprising up to 50 weight percent (wt %)jute fiber in PP. These granules have similar shape and diameter as commercially available PP granules. Rheological analysis shows that viscosity of the compounds follows the same shear rate dependency as PP and is on the same level as glass-PP compounds. The mechanical properties show very little variation and exhibit strength and stiffness values at the upper range of competing natural fiber reinforced compounds for injection molding. The mechanical performance reduces gradually upon prolonged thermal loading and immersion in water. The low water diffusion coefficient of the 50 wt % jute-PP composites indicated that the fibres are not forming a continuous network throughout the polymer. The jute fibers exhibit a stabilizing effect against ultra violet irradiation (UV) on PP polymer and, as a consequence, the mechanical properties of jute-PP composites hardly decrease during an accelerated UV ageing test. Bacteria, fungi, and garden mold grow easily on the compound material, but only have a limited effect on mechanical properties. The resistance to growth of bacteria on the materials surface can be increased using a biostabilizer. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.