Physico-Mechanical Properties of Jute Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Jute fiber reinforced polypropylene composites were manufactured using a single extruder and an injection molding machine. Raw jute fiber was oxidized and manufactured composites were post-treated with urea to increase the compatibility of the jute fiber with the polypropylene matrix. Both raw and oxidized jute fiber was utilized and four levels of fiber loading (20, 25, 30, and 35 wt%) was used during composite manufacturing. Microstructural analysis (scanning electron microscopy) and mechanical tests (tensile, flexural, impact, hardness, and water absorption) were conducted. Post-treated jute fiber reinforced specimens yielded better mechanical properties compared to the oxidized and raw ones. Based on fiber loading, 30% fiber reinforced composites had the optimum set of mechanical properties. Authors propose that the bonding between the polypropylene matrix and urea treated jute fiber must be increased in order to have improved mechanical properties at higher fiber content.