Surface modification of jute and its influence on performance of biodegradable jute-fabric/Biopol composites

Surface modifications of two varieties of jute fabrics, i.e. hessian cloth (HC) and carpet backing cloth (CBC), involving dewaxing, alkali treatment, cyanoethylation and grafting, have been made with a view to their use as reinforcing agents in composites based on a biodegradable polymeric matrix, Biopol. The chemically treated fabrics are characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effects of different fibre surface treatments and amounts of fabrics on the performance of the resulting composites are investigated. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, bending strength and impact strength increase in comparison to pure Biopol as a result of reinforcement with jute fabrics. More than 50% enhancement in tensile strength, 30% in bending strength and 90% in impact strength of the composites relative to pure Biopol sheets have been observed under the present experimental conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations show that surface modifications improve the fibre/matrix adhesion. From degradation studies we find that after 150 days of compost burial more than 50% weight loss of the jute/Biopol composite occurs. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.