Surface modification of jute and its influence on performance of biodegradable jute-fabric/Biopol composites A.K. Mohanty 1 , Mubarak A. Khan 2 , G. Hinrichsen * Technical University of Berlin, Institute of Nonmetallic Materials, Polymer Physics, Englische Str. 20, D-10587 Berlin, Germany Received 27 November 1998; accepted 18 January 2000 Abstract Surface modifications of two varieties of jute fabrics, i.e. hessian cloth (HC) and carpet backing cloth (CBC), involving dewaxing, alkali treatment, cyanoethylation and grafting, have been made with a view to their use as reinforcing agents in composites based on a biodegradable polymeric matrix, Biopol. The chemically treated fabrics are characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The eects of dierent fibre surface treatments and amounts of fabrics on the performance of the resulting composites are investigated. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, bending strength and impact strength increase in comparison to pure Biopol as a result of reinforcement with jute fabrics. More than 50% enhancement in tensile strength, 30% in bending strength and 90% in impact strength of the composites relative to pure Biopol sheets have been observed under the present experimental conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations show that surface modifications improve the fibre/matrix adhesion. From degradation studies we find that after 150 days of compost burial more than 50% weight loss of the jute/Biopol composite occurs. # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Surface modification; Jute fabrics; Biopol; Biodegradable composites; Mechanical properties 1. Introduction Biocomposite consists of a biodegradable polymer as matrix material and a natural fibre as reinforcing element. Governmental regulations and growing environmental awareness throughout the world have triggered a para- digm shift towards designing materials compatible with the environment. The use of natural fibres, derived from annually renewable resources, as reinforcing fibres in both thermoplastic and thermosetting matrix compo- sites provides positive environmental benefits with respect to ultimate disposability and raw material utili- zation [1]. Among the advantages which can be obtained by introducing these natural fibres into a polymeric matrix, as an alternative to typical organic (e.g. aramid, carbon) and inorganic (glass) counterparts, the most relevant are: their renewable character, accep- table specific strength properties, low cost, enhanced energy recovery and biodegradability. Several reports have documented the use of jute fibre as a reinforcement in thermoplastics like polyethylene (PE) and polypro- pylene (PP), and thermosets like unsaturated polyester and epoxy resin [2]. However, the reinforcement of a biodegradable matrix with jute has not been studied to a great extent. In biocomposites the matrix system may be made from biologically renewable resources. The so-called biopolymers were intended to be used in packaging industries and for other applications with minor strength requirements. When the development of bio- composites started in the late 1980s, these kinds of bio- degradable materials, not yet satisfying each of the requirements of biocomposites, were available in the market [3]. Several complex structures such as tubes, car doors, interior panelling, sandwich plates etc., have been made of biocomposites [3]. In recent years, biode- gradable polymers have oered scientists a possible solution to waste desposal problems associated with traditional petroleum-derived plastics. 0266-3538/00/$ - see front matter # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S0266-3538(00)00012-9 Composites Science and Technology 60 (2000) 1115–1124 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +49-30-3142-4225; fax: +49-30- 3142-1100. E-mail address: hinr0637@mailsrzrz.zrz.tu-berlin.de (G. Hinrichsen). 1 Present address: Composite Materials and Structures Center, 2100 Engineering Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA, e-mail: mohantva@egr.msu.edu 2 Home address: Radiation Chemistry Laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Com- mission, PO Box 3787, Dhaka, Bangladesh.