A study of the mechanical and fracture Behavior of jute-fabric-reinforced clay-modified thermoplastic starch-matrix composites

Starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) films plasticized with glycerol were prepared by a solution-casting method and were used as the matrix material for making jute-fabric-reinforced starch-based composites. Four sets of composites were prepared with a variation in the matrix composition, all having 40 wt.-% jute fabric as the reinforcement. The mechanical properties were superior in the case of the matrices containing a higher amount of starch. DMA was done to investigate the nature of bonding at the interface. The fracture surfaces were examined by SEM. Intimate bonding of the jute fibers with the matrix was evident. The clay-filled matrices displayed a flat crack surface without any plastic deformation.