Mechanical properties of silanized jute-polypropylene composites

An affordable composite was prepared from jute fibers and polypropylene (PP) in this study. Jute fibers are echo-friendly, low-density materials yielding considerably lightweight composites with highly specific properties. The surfaces of the jute fibers were silanized to increase the interfacial adhesion between the jute fiber and the polymer matrix. During the fracture process of the silanized composites, the jute fibers were broken without complete pullout; much of the PP matrix still coated the fibers, indicating the enhanced degree of adhesion. The tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of the jute-PP composites were enhanced by the silane treatment as a result of the improved interfacial adhesion between the silanized jute fiber and the PP matrix. (c) 2007 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.