Effect of processing conditions on the tensile properties of PLA/Jute fabric laminates: Experimental and numerical analysis

Abstract

This article explores how the mechanical properties of composite polymers reinforced with jute fibers are influenced by manufacturing conditions, specifically pressure and temperature. To investigate this, a total of 45 distinct samples were created, and fabricated under nine different pressure and temperature conditions. The results demonstrate a notable linear increase in mechanical properties with incremental changes in pressure, while the impact of temperature variations remains less clearly defined. Based on these findings, a corrective factor was developed for the homogenization formula or rule of mixture that is commonly used to predict the mechanical behavior of composite polymers but does not typically consider manufacturing conditions. The newly introduced corrective factor aims to improve the accuracy of predictions and represents a significant advancement in modeling jute fiber-reinforced composite polymers. This development opens the door for more precise predictions and a better understanding of the intricate relationship between manufacturing conditions and resulting material properties.

Keywords

• Jute fibers
• Manufacturing technique
• Tensile properties
• Hot pressing technique