Preparation and characterization of woven jute fabric layered composite by using bamboo fiber reinforced polymers as resin matrix

In the present study, a novel hybrid composite product has been prepared by using plain woven jute fabric as one component and short bamboo fiber reinforced thermoplastic (BPC) as the second component. BPC was prepared using a co-rotating twin screw extruder and the same was used as a resin matrix for preparing hybrid jute fabric composite (JFC) via layering method. In this work, the effect of polymer type i.e., polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), coupling agent (CA) and bamboo fiber content (10%, 30%, and 50%) in the BPC on physical, mechanical, water absorption and thermal properties of JFC has been investigated. The properties of BPC bonded JFC were compared with similarly produced composites using neat polymers. Mechanical properties and water absorption behavior in BPC bonded JFC were significantly improved with increased proportion of bamboo fibers in BPC, more specifically up to 30% fiber reinforcement. Also, the properties in fabricated composite were significantly higher in samples added with CA. Experimental results showed that flexural strength in 3L/JFC prepared with 30%-BPC was increased by 35% and 50%, as compared to similarly produced composite from neat PP and HDPE, respectively. Similarly, compared to neat PP and HDPE based JFC, the flexural modulus of 3L/JFC prepared with 30%-BPC was increased by 79% and 120%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic images showed the evidence of physical bonding between BPC matrix and jute fabric in the form of mechanical interlocking. In general, the properties of BPC bonded hybrid JFC were significantly higher than those of similar composites made from pure polymers.