Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials · 2011 · 32 citations · 28 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceMaterials CharacterizationMechanical Behavior Of MaterialsStructural MaterialsComposite MaterialsMaterial PerformanceMaterial PropertiesMaterial TestingPolymer CompositesPolymer-matrix CompositesComposite Mechanical PropertiesCompressionDegradationInterfacial PropertiesMicroscopic Material AnalysisPolyvinyl ChloridePolyvinyl Chloride MaterialsTensile Strength
Jute fabrics (hessian cloth) reinforced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based composites were prepared by compression molding. Jute content varied from 40–60 wt% in the composites. Four layers of jute fabrics were compression molded with five layers of PVC. It was found that the composite containing 40% jute fabrics showed the best performance. The values of tensile strength (TS), bending strength (BS), tensile modulus (TM), and bending modulus (BM) of the composite (40 wt% jute fabrics) were found to be 59.3 MPa, 62.6 MPa, 1.3 GPa, and 3.2 GPa, respectively. The values of TS and BS were improved to 77% and 46%, respectively, compared to the matrix material PVC. Scanning electron microscopic analysis was carried out to investigate the interfacial properties of the composites. Degradation tests of the composites (up to 6 months) were performed in soil medium and showed partial degradation nature.
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