Innovative multifunctional siloxane treatment of jute fiber surface and its effect on the mechanical properties of jute/thermoset composites

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites have many applications because of their ease of fabrication, relatively low cost, low density and renewable resource. In spite of the various desirable properties of natural fiber to act as a reinforcing material, poor adhesion characteristics between natural fiber and polymer resin result in low mechanical properties. In this study, jute–thermoset composites were fabricated by using unsaturated polyester and epoxy resins. To improve the adhesion between jute fabric and thermoset, alkali treated jute fibers were treated with oligomeric siloxane. FTIR analysis was used to confirm the surface treatment. The effects of fiber surface treatment on the mechanical properties of jute reinforced thermoset composites were determined by using tensile test, flexure test and short beam shear test. The fractured surfaces of composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) technique. Once jute fabrics were treated 1% siloxane concentration, the tensile and flexure properties of silane treated jute thermoset composites increased. Surface treatment of jute fiber caused a significant increase in the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the thermoset composites. From SEM observations, better adhesion was observed for the jute/thermoset composites in the presence of oligomeric siloxane.