Effectiveness of Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Jute Fibers under Different Chemical Treatment for Automotive Interior Trim

In the quest for sustainable materials for automotive interior trim, jute fiber is gaining traction due to its characteristics, which align with other renowned natural fibers. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of sodium bicarbonate as a treatment for jute fibers in comparison to conventional alkaline treatments. Both treated and untreated fibers were examined. Results showed that alkali-processed fibers demonstrated enhanced crystallization, thermal resistance, and surface quality relative to untreated ones. Specifically, alkali-treated jute fibers exhibited a degradation onset at 261.23°C, while those treated with sodium bicarbonate began degrading at 246.32°C. Untreated fibers had a degradation onset at 239.25°C. Although both treatments improved the thermal stability of the fiber, sodium bicarbonate processing, while beneficial, was slightly less effective than the traditional alkaline method. Overall, the research underscores the potential of sodium bicarbonate as an alternative treatment for fibrous materials, even if its efficacy is somewhat lesser than traditional methods. The findings offer insights into optimizing jute fiber for automotive interior trim applications.