Dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of MAPE treated jute/HDPE composites

The present paper summarizes an experimental study on the mechanical and viscoelastic behavior of jute fibre reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. Variations in mechanical strength, storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E) and damping parameter (tan delta) with the addition of fibres and coupling agents were investigated. It was observed that the tensile, flexural and impact strengths increased with the increase in fibre loading upto 30%, above which there was a significant deterioration in the mechanical strength. Further, the composites treated with MAPE showed improved properties in comparison to the untreated composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis data showed an increase in the storage modulus of the treated composites The tan alpha spectra presented a strong influence of fibre content and coupling agent on the a and gamma relaxation process of HDPE. The thermal behavior of the composites was evaluated from TGA/DTG thermograrns. The fibre-matrix morphology in the treated composites was confirmed by SEM analysis of the tensile fractured specimens. FTIR spectra of the treated and untreated jute fibres was also studied to ascertain the existence of type of interfacial bonds. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.