Effect of Rot-Retardant Treatment on Properties of Jute Fibers

Abstract

Jute natural fiber is gradually replacing traditional glass fibers as reinforcement in composites due to their higher specific modulus and lower specific gravity. For reducing rotting properties of jute fiber, rot-retardant treatment was conducted on different portions of the fiber. The rot-retardant jute fibers were characterized by tensile test, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and thermal and water absorption tests. The tensile properties improved in the middle portion as compared to the top and bottom portions and deteriorated after rot-retardant treatment. The diameter gradually increased from top to middle and then to bottom portion after treatment. The crystalinity index was found higher for bottom portion. Thermal properties of jute fiber also improved as compared to the control jute fiber. The rot-retardant--treated jute fiber may find satisfactory and desirable application in our house hold accessories.

Keywords

• fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
• jute fiber
• rot retardant
• scanning electronic microscopy
• tensile properties
• x-ray diffraction