Lignin in Jute Fabric-Polypropylene Composites

In this work, the feasibility of using lignin as a compatibilizer for composites made from jute fiber fabric and polypropylene (PP) was studied. Since lignin contains polar (hydroxyl) groups and nonpolar hydrocarbon, it was expected to be able to improve the compatibility between the two components of the composite. It was found that lignin acted as P nucleation, fire retardant, and toughening agent for PP matrix. Jute composites exhibit higher stiffness, tensile strength, and impact behavior in respect to those of neat PP. Although scanning electron micrographic observations indicate that PP-jute adhesion was slightly improved by lignin addition, additional benefits were only obtained from impact behavior. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 113: 1480-1487, 2009