Effect of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) on the mechanical and thermal properties of jute-polycarbonate composite

Bleached jute (hessian cloth)-polycarbonate (PC) composites were prepared by compression molding. Various types of composites of different jute content were fabricated; composite of 32% jute showed the highest mechanical properties. To improve the interfacial adhesion as well as physical and thermal properties of the composites, the hessian cloth were treated with 2-hydroxy ethylmethacrylate (HEMA). Both treated and untreated jute surfaces were characterized by FTIR, XPS and found the presence of HEMA on the fiber surface. The composites of treated (PCJH) and untreated (PCJ) jute were also characterized by FTIR. It was found that the hydroxyl groups of HEMA might be reacted with carbonate groups of PC through nucleophilic addition. Mechanical properties of HEMA treated jute composites are found significantly higher than that of untreated one. Iosipescu shear modulus of PCJH was found to increase 61 and 24% as compared to pure PC and PCJ, respectively. The initial storage modulus of PCJH at 30 °C showed 101 and 77% improvements when compared with PC and PCJ, respectively. The tan δ values of PCJH and PCJ composites are 6 and 3.7 times lower than those of PC, respectively. The ESEM study showed the better dispersion of HEMA treated fiber in PC and increased interfacial adhesion between jute and PC with compare to untreated jute.