Mechanical performances of surface modified jute fiber reinforced biopol nanophased green composites

Surface modification of jute fibers was accomplished by performing chemical treatments, including detergent washing, dewaxing, alkali, and acetic acid treatment. Morphology of modified surfaces examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed improved surfaces for better adhesion with matrix. Enhanced tensile properties of treated fibers were obtained from fiber bundle tensile tests. Using solution intercalation technique and magnetic stirring, 2%, 3%, and 4% by weight Montmorillonite K10 nanoclay were dispersed into the biodegradable polymer, biopol. Jute fiber reinforced biopol biocomposites with and without nanoclay manufactured using treated and untreated fibers by compression molding process showed almost the same volume fraction for all the samples. However, the lower void content was observed in the surface modified and nanoclay infused jute biopol composites. Mechanical responses of treated fiber reinforced biopol composites (TJBC) without nanoclay evaluated using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and flexure tests showed 9% and 12% increase in storage modulus and flexure strength, respectively, compared to untreated jute fiber reinforced composites (UTJBC). The respective values were 100% and 35% for 4% nanoclay infused TJBC, compared to UTJBC without nanoclay. Lower moisture absorption and better mechanical properties were found in the nanophased composites even after moisture conditioning. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.