Effect of Gamma Radiation on the Physico-Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Jute Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Hessian cloth (jute fiber)-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by compression molding. The fiber content in the composites was about 50%. The resulting composites and also PP sheets were irradiated under gamma radiation of various total doses (250-1000 krad) at the rate of 600 krad/h. It was found that by using gamma radiation, the mechanical properties of the PP sheets and composites were improved. Gamma radiation dose of 500 krad showed better mechanical properties than that of other doses. Tensile strength and tensile modulus of the PP sheets improved 28% and 26%, respectively, and for composites 16% and 45%, respectively. On the other hand, bending strength and bending modulus of the PP sheet improved 16% and 125%. For composites, bending strength, bending modulus, and impact strength improved 12%, 38%, and 62%, respectively. Water uptake of the composites at 25 degrees C was measured and it was found that treated samples had lower water uptake properties. It was found that the dielectric constant is higher for the treated composite than that of the untreated one. The transition temperatures were found to be 80 degrees C for untreated and 75 degrees C for irradiated composites, respectively. Conductivity of the composites decreases due to irradiation.