Effect of chemical treatment of jute fiber on thermo-mechanical properties of jute and sheep wool fiber reinforced hybrid polypropylene composites

Use of combination of natural fiber in hybrid composite ensures environment-friendly product and a balanced pursuit of required properties. Present research focuses on preparing a completely new hybrid composite reinforcing jute and sheep wool fiber into polypropylene (PP) matrix using a hot press machine. Jute fiber was chemically treated with 5% NaOH and diazonium salt at alkali, acidic, and neutral media to increase compatibility with sheep wool fiber and PP matrix. Total jute and sheep wool fiber loading was fixed at 15 wt%, with a ratio of 3:1. Both treated and untreated jute fibers were utilized during composite preparation. Mechanical, structural, thermal, and water absorption tests of prepared composites were subsequently conducted. Five percentage of NaOH treatment reduced the hydroxyl group in jute fiber, while diazonium salt treatment converted the hydroxyl group into the diazo group. Hybrid PP composite containing neutral media diazonium salt-treated jute fiber and untreated sheep wool fiber had the best of mechanical properties, thermal stability, and lowest water absorption among all prepared composites.

Automated summary

The use of a combination of natural fibers in hybrid composites can lead to the development of environmentally friendly products with the desired properties. This study focuses on the preparation of a new hybrid composite by incorporating jute and sheep wool fibers into a polypropylene matrix using a hot press machine. The researchers chemically treated the jute fibers to increase compatibility with the sheep wool fibers and the polypropylene matrix. Mechanical, structural, thermal, and water absorption tests were conducted on the prepared composites. The results showed that the hybrid composite with jute fibers treated with neutral media diazonium salt and untreated sheep wool fibers exhibited the best mechanical properties, thermal stability, and lowest water absorption compared to other composites.