Fabrication and characterization of woven and comingled nonwoven sheet polypropylene hybrid composite by recycling and alkali-treated jute waste fibers

Natural fiber reinforced hybrid composite materials, with their enhanced characteristics, represent the future of our advanced material search. Natural fibers are the substitute for synthetics because their less manufacturing cost, bio-degradable, easy availability, durability, resistance to environmental degradation, etc., makes them popular nowadays. This paper presents how jute fibers are recycled from various jute waste sources. After recycling, jute fibers are used to fabricate the hybrid composites. Two forms of recycled jute sheets are used to fabricate the composites that is, woven sheets and nonwoven comingled (jute and polypropylene) sheets. The NaOH treatment was performed on recycled jute sheets with different concentrations (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%). The hybrid composites are made using three distinct fiber-polypropylene weight fraction ratios (50/50, 40/60, and 30/70), as well as five different stacking sequences. Mechanical parameters such as tensile strength, elongation (%), flexural strength, impact strength, and water absorption were evaluated. Among the five fabricated combinations, it is found that the combination of (40/60), (JJJ), with 2% NaOH treated fibers composite gives the maximum tensile and flexural strength, and the combination of (30/70) (CCC) with 2% NaOH treated fiber composites exhibits the maximum Impact strength. The combination of (50/50), and (CCC) with 2% NaOH treated fiber composite gives the maximum Elongation %, and the combination of (50/50), (JJJ), and 0% NaOH treatment yields the maximum water absorption. A relationship between fabric loading, tensile modulus, and flexural modulus and other relationship between chemical treatment and water absorption% has been established for JJJ laminated sheet which shows almost best properties among them. These assessments make them most valuable for a variety of sectors, including car, aircraft, marine, and building construction.

Automated summary

Natural fiber reinforced hybrid composite materials are the future of advanced material search due to their enhanced characteristics. The use of natural fibers as substitutes for synthetics is becoming popular due to their lower manufacturing cost, biodegradability, easy availability, durability, and resistance to environmental degradation. This paper discusses the recycling of jute fibers from various waste sources and their use in fabricating hybrid composites. Recycled jute sheets in woven and nonwoven composites were treated with different concentrations of NaOH, and mechanical parameters such as tensile strength, elongation, flexural strength, impact strength, and water absorption were evaluated. The study identified the combinations that exhibited the maximum strength and properties, making these hybrid composites valuable for various sectors including automotive, aerospace, marine, and construction.