Bapi Sarker

Comparative Studies of Mechanical and Interfacial Properties between Jute and Bamboo Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene-Based Composites

Jute and bamboo fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) based composites (50 wt% fiber) were fabricated by compression molding. Tensile strength (TS), bending strength (BS), tensile modulus (TM), and bending modulus (BM) of the jute-reinforced PP composite were found to be 48, 56, 900, and 1500 MPa, respectively. Then, bamboo fiber-reinforced PP-based composites (50 wt% fiber) were fabricated and the mechanical properties evaluated. The TS, BS, TM, and BM of bamboo-reinforced PP composites were found to be 60, 76, 4210, and 6210 MPa, respectively. It was revealed that bamboo fiber-based composites had higher TS, BS, TM, and BM compared to jute-based composites. Degradation tests of the composites (jute fiber/PP and bamboo fiber/PP) were performed in soil at ambient conditions for up to 24 weeks. It was revealed that bamboo fiber/PP composite retained its original mechanical properties higher than that of jute fiber/PP composite. The interfacial shear strength of the jute and bamboo fiber-based composites was investigated using the single-fiber fragmentation test and it was found to be 2.14 and 4.91 MPa, respectively. Fracture sides of the composites were studied by scanning electron microscope, and the results revealed poor fiber matrix adhesion for jute fiber-based composites compared to that of the bamboo fiber-based composites.

Preparation and Characterization of Gelatin-Based PVA Film: Effect of Gamma Irradiation

Gelatin-based polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films were prepared (using a casting process) by mixing aqueous solutions of gelatin and PVA in different ratios. Monomer 1, 4-butanediol diacrylate (BDDA) was dissolved in methanol. Films containing 95% gelatin + 5% PVA were soaked in 3% BDDA monomer (w/w). These films were then irradiated under gamma radiation (60Co) at different doses (50–500 krad) at a dose rate of 350 krad/h. The physico-mechanical and thermal properties of these films were evaluated. It was evident that 5% PVA-containing gelatin blend film exhibited the highest tensile strength (TS) value at 50 krad (51 MPa), which was 46% higher than that of non-irradiated blend films. It was also found that incorporation of PVA significantly reduced the TS value of the blend films compared to the raw film, whereas elongation at break (Eb) value was increased. A significant improvement of the blend films was also confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and thermo-mechanical analysis (TMA) when the acrylate group (from BDDA) was introduced into the film.

Mechanical, Degradation and Interfacial Properties of Chitosan Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Polypropylene (PP) matrix natural degradable chitosan fiber reinforced unidirectional composites (5% fiber by weight) were fabricated by compression molding. It was found that tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), elongation at break (%), bending strength (BS), bending modulus (BM) and impact strength (IS) were found to be 30 MPa, 771 MPa, 11%, 35 MPa, 2360 MPa and 6.5 kJ/m2 respectively. Degradation tests of the fibers and composites were performed for 2 weeks and 6 months, respectively in aqueous medium at room temperature (25°C). After six months, the mechanical properties of the composites retained almost 65% of their original properties. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of the composites was also measured by single fiber fragmentation test (SFFT). The IFSS of the composite system was found to be 0.44 MPa.

Comparative Studies of Mechanical and Interfacial Properties Between Jute Fiber/PVC and E-Glass Fiber/PVC Composites

Composites (50 wt% fiber) of jute fiber reinforced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix and E-glass fiber reinforced PVC matrix were prepared by compression molding. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), bending strength (BS), bending modulus (BM) and impact strength (IS) of both types of composites was evaluated and compared. Values of TS, TM, BS, BM and IS of jute fiber/PVC composites were found to be 45 MPa, 802 MPa, 46 MPa, 850 MPa and 24 kJ/m2, respectively. It was observed that TS, TM, BS, BM and IS of E-glass fiber/PVC composites were found to increase by 44, 80, 47, 92 and 37.5%, respectively. Thermal properties of the composites were also carried out, which revealed that thermal stability of E-glass fiber/PVC system was higher. The interfacial adhesion between the fibers (jute and E-glass) and matrix was studied by means of critical fiber length and interfacial shear strength that were measured by single fiber fragmentation test. Fracture sides after flexural testing of both types of the composites were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of Jute Fiber-Reinforced Melamine Matrix Composite

Jute fiber-reinforced melamine composites (16–35% fiber) were prepared by hot press at 125°C for 10 min at 8 MT pressure. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, bending strength, bending modulus and impact strength of the composites (16% fiber) were found to be 44 MPa, 532 MPa, 112 MPa, 1.4 GPa and 13 kJ/m2, respectively. Effect of gamma radiation on the composites was investigated. Water uptake properties of the irradiated composites were found to improve significantly. Interfacial properties of the composites were investigated by SEM and were revealed that fiber matrix adhesion was quite good.

Thermo-Mechanical and Interfacial Properties of Calcium Alginate Fiber-Reinforced Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Composite

Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) matrix calcium alginate fiber reinforced unidirectional composites (10% fiber by weight) were fabricated by compression molding. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, bending strength, bending modulus and impact strength were found to be 19 MPa, 696 MPa, 32 MPa, 1150 MPa and 18 kJ/m2, respectively. Degradation tests of composites were performed for twelve weeks in soil and it was found that composites retained almost 70% of its original strength. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of the composites was also measured by single fiber fragmentation test (SFFT).

Study on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Jute-Reinforced Methyl Acrylate Grafted PET Composites

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) granules were grafted with methyl acrylate (MA) from the solution containing 10% MA in methanol (86%) solvent and photo initiator (4%) for 10 min and then cured under UV radiation. MA-grafted PET films were prepared at 260°C and 5 ton pressure using heat press. Jute fabric-reinforced, MA-grafted, PET-based composites (25% fiber by weight) were fabricated by compression molding. Mechanical, thermal and soil degradation tests of the composites were performed. It was found that the MA grafted PET composites showed higher mechanical properties over the ungrafted PET/jute composite.

Thermo-mechanical, Degradation, and Interfacial Properties of Jute Fiber-reinforced PET-based Composite

Jute fiber-reinforced polyethylene terephthalate (PET) matrix composite was prepared by compression molding. Tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), elongation at break (Eb%), bending strength (BS), bending modulus (BM), impact strength (IS), and hardness of the composites (50% fiber by weight) were found to be 56 MPa, 1950 MPa, 5%, 73 MPa, 3620 MPa, 24 kJ/m2, and 97 Shore-A, respectively. After 6 weeks of soil degradation, composites lost 28.5% and 24.6% of their original TS and BS, respectively. Interfacial characterization was performed by scanning electron microscope.

Effect of Incorporation of Polypropylene on the Physico-Mechanical and Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Gelatin Fiber Based Linear Low Density Polyethylene Bio-foamed Composite

Gelatin fiber (10 wt%) based linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) bio-foamed composite was fabricated using compression molding and physico-mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties were studied. Gelatin fiber was prepared from 20% gelatin-based aqueous solution by extrusion method. Polypropylene (PP) was blended (20—80 wt%) with LLDPE matrix in the 10% gelatin fiber based bio-foamed composites and their physico-mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties were investigated and compared with the control composite. It was found that with the increase of PP content in the LLDPE-based composites, the properties were found to improve significantly. Degradation test of the composites upto 24 weeks was performed in soil medium. Water uptake and thermo-mechanical properties of the composites were also studied. Void spaces and channels in the bio-foamed composites were observed from optical microscopic image.

Study on Effect of Incorporation of Gelatin Fiber in Jute Fabrics-Reinforced Linear Low Density Polyethylene Composite

Jute fabrics (50%)-reinforced linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) composite was prepared by compression molding and mechanical properties were studied. Gelatin fiber (2%–10%) was incorporated into the jute fabrics-based composites and their mechanical properties were investigated and compared with the control composite. It was found that with the increased of gelatin fiber content in the jute fabrics-based composites, the mechanical properties were found to be decreased, but water uptake and degradation properties were increased significantly. The composite containing 10% gelatin fiber lost 30.2% of its weight, 56.4% TS, 41.8% BS, 26% TM and 25.5% BM after 24 weeks in soil medium.