Starch-jute fiber hybrid biocomposite modified with an epoxy resin coating: fabrication and experimental characterization

Abstract

In this article, biocomposites derived from a starch-glycerol biodegradable matrix reinforced with jute fibers were fabricated using the wet hand lay-up and compression moulding techniques. Samples having different weight percentages of jute fiber in the starch matrix were analyzed. The fiber’s surface was chemically treated by alkaline sodium hydroxide to improve the interphase bonding between the fiber and the matrix. Tensile tests for the composites were done and the sample with highest tensile strength was selected for further tests that included water absorption (WA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermal analysis (TA). It has been concluded that the ultimate tensile strength was found to be maximum for the composition of 15% fiber by weight composite as 7.547 MPa without epoxy coating and 10.43 MPa with epoxy coating. The major disadvantage of the biocomposite is its high WA property, which in this study was inhibited by the epoxy resin layer. Herein, the results of various tests done disclose a noteworthy improvement in the overall properties of bio-composite, in comparison to the neat biodegradable starch matrix.

Keywords

• biocomposite
• epoxy resin
• jute fiber
• microstructure
• starch matrix