Lengthwise jute fibre properties variation and its effect on jute–polyester composite

Abstract

In this study, the jute reeds were equally divided lengthwise from root to tip in three portions namely root, middle and tip. The fibre diameter, fineness, tensile strength and bundle strength of the three portion jute were evaluated and compared. Unidirectional composites containing about 35(wt/wt)% jute fibre by weight were produced in unsaturated polyester resin matrix. The effect of fibre property variation in composite’s mechanical properties was studied. Tensile and flexural properties of composites made from three portions of jute reed were studied. It was observed that tensile and flexural strength of root portion based composites are 44% and 35% higher than tip portion based composites. Tensile and flexural modulus of tip portion based composites is 18% and 17% higher than root portion based composites.

Keywords:

• Composite
• jute
• polyester resin
• mechanical property

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.AQ22