Role of Reactive Dye and Chemicals on Mechanical Properties of Jute Fabrics Polypropylene Composites

Surface modification of jute fabrics by chemical treatments with various chemicals in the presence and absence of reactive dye is made in view of their use as reinforcing agents in composites based on propylene (PP) matrix. Indosol-E50, Glycidyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (Glytac), Albafix WFF as well as conventional sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used as chemicals for surface modification of jute fabrics. The effects of treated jute fabricsontensile, scanning electron microscopy (SEM),and water absorption properties of their resultingcompositeswereevaluated. The composites made from jute fabrics treated withAlbafix WFF plusNaOH had the highest tensile strength, which was 83% more than that of untreated jute fabrics reinforced composites. The higher tensile strength was attributed to the strong interfacial adhesion as a result of surface modificationofjute fabrics. Water absorption test revealed that the composites made from jute fabrics treated with Glytacplus NaOHhad 81% less water uptake than that of composites made from untreated jute fabrics.