Mechanical, Thermal and Degradation Characteristics of Jute Fabric-reinforced Polypropylene Composites: Effect of Potassium dichromate as Oxidizing Agent

In this study, potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) was used to investigate the oxidizing effect on the properties of the compression molded jute fabrics-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites. Jute fabrics were treated with K2Cr2O7 in oxalic acid and sulphuric acid media. Solutions of oxalic acid and sulphuric acid were prepared in water as 1.0-10.0 % w/v and 0.1-2.0 % v/v respectively, where percentage of K2Cr2O7 was maintained at 0.02 % w/v. Among the treatments, 5.0 % oxalic acid treated jute-PP composite showed better mechanical performance over the other combinations and also than that of the untreated sample. The treatment of jute fabrics improved the thermal stability of the composites by shifting the thermal degradation temperatures of the composites to higher temperature regions compared to PP or jute fabrics. Treated jute composites were found less degradable in soil, water and simulated weathering conditions as well as less water sensible compared to the untreated composite sample.