Fabrication and Characterization of Jute Fiber Reinforced PP-Clay-based Nanocomposites

Fataha Nur Robel; Towhidul Islam; Arifuzzaman Tapash; A. M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury

Abstract

AbstractNanocomposite is a new concept in the field of plastic-based composites. Jute fabric (hessian cloth)-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites with different nanoclays were prepared by compression molding. Jute fiber content in the composites was approximately 50%. Mechanical properties of PP-clay blend and PP-clay/jute fiber composites were characterized. It was found that 5% clay containing PP-clay/jute composites showed the best results. Tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EB) and tensile modulus (TM) of PP-clay/jute composites that contain 5% clay were found to be 59.85 MPa, 20.42% and 711 MPa respectively. Composites were soaked in water for a certain period, and it was observed that there is very little effect of water aging on the mechanical properties of composites. Keywords: Polypropylene, jute fabric, nanocomposite, clay, blend