Study of physical, mechanical and thermal properties

International Journal of Advanced JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCHISSN 0976 –
INTERNATIONAL Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), IN
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (IJARET)
6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 3, Number 2, July-December (2012), © IAEME

ISSN 0976 - 6480 (Print)
ISSN 0976 - 6499 (Online) IJARET
Volume 3, Issue 2, July-December (2012), pp. 267-274
© IAEME: www.iaeme.com/ijaret.asp
Journal Impact Factor (2012): 2.7078 (Calculated by GISI)
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STUDY OF PHYSICAL, MECHANICAL AND THERMAL PROPERTIES
OF UNIDIRECTIONAL JUTE FIBER REINFORCED PVC FILM
COMPOSITES

Aleya Fardausy 1, Md. Alamgir Kabir1, Humayun Kabir 1*, M. Mahbubur Rahman1, Khadiza
Begam1, Farid Ahmed 1, Md. Abul Hossain1, Md. Abdul Gafur 2
1
Department of Physics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka.
2
Pilot Plant & Process Development Center of Bangladesh Council of
Scientific & Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka.

1*
Address for correspondence: Humayun Kabir,Assistant Professor, Department of Physics,
Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh. E-mail: rumy140@yahoo.com,

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of unidirectional jute fiber
reinforced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film composites. Composites (wt % of fiber) of jute fiber
reinforced PVC matrix were prepared by compression molding at 160⁰C. Variable weight ratios
of these composites namely 100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15 and 80:20 were prepared and then physical,
mechanical and thermal properties were studied. The tensile strength of composites increases with
the increase of fiber addition and percentage of elongation at break decreases with increase of
fiber addition. Thermal analysis of PVC-jute fiber composites show that thermal degradation
of PVC film starts ahead of jute fiber and the degradation of composites was occurring in two
stages.

Key Words: PVC, composites, compression molding, tensile strength and thermal degradation.

1. INTRODUCTION

Composites are combination of two materials in which one of the materials, called the reinforcing
phase, is in the form of fibers, sheets or particles and are embedded in the other materials called
matrix phase. The reinforcing and the matrix materials can be metal, ceramic, or polymer.
Typically, reinforcing materials are strong with low densities while the matrix is usually a ductile
or tough material. Fiber matrix interactions play a crucial role in determining the properties of
their relative composites [1].

267

International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN 0976 –

Polymer science and technology is one of the most active and promising fields in science,
embracing a multitude of topics natural polymers such as cellulose, wool, silk, jute, palm fiber etc.
which are of outmost importance for living systems, to the synthetic high polymer [2].

Growing environmental awareness throughout the world has triggered a paradigm shift towards
designing materials compatible with the environment. The use of jute fiber, derived from annually
renewable source, as reinforcing fibers in both thermoplastic and thermosetting matrix composites
provides positive benefit with respect to ultimate disposability and raw materials utilization.
Because of lower density, easy processibility, biodegradability and availability in nature,
combined with a better cost performance ratio, cellulosic materials show bright potentiality as
filler in thermoplastics. The composites of engineering polymers combined with natural
components like wood, flax, hemp, jute, etc. are intensively studied due to the ecology and
interesting physical properties of such natural cellulosic materials. Natural fibers such as jute, coir,
palm, wood fiber, palm fiber, banana, etc. are used as an alternative to synthetic fibers e.g. glass,
aramid, carbon, etc. These fibers are used due to their renewable character, acceptable specific
strength properties, low cost, enhanced energy recovery and biodegradability. Natural fiber
reinforced polymer combines good mechanical properties with low specific mass. The jute fiber
can be used as reinforcing agent in thermoplastics like polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP),
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) etc [3-5]. Lavia Danyadi et al. [6] have studied wood flour filled
polypropylene composites. The addition of components was modified by two maleic anhydride
functionalized PP with different maleic anhydride content and molecular weight. Tensile
properties were measured and micromechanical deformation possesses were followed by acoustic
emission as well as volume strain measurements in PP/Wood flour composites. Jamal Mirbagheri
et al. [7] have studied the tensile properties of wood flour/kenal fiber PP hybrid composites. PP
was used as the polymer matrix and 40-80 mesh kenaf fiber and 60-100 mesh wood flour were
used as the fiber and the particulate reinforcement, respectively. The hybrid effect on the elastic
modulus of the composites was investigated using the role of hybrid mixtures and Halpin-Tsai
equations. The result indicated that while non-hybrid composites of kenal fiber and wood flour
exhibited the highest and lowest modulus values, respectively. Y. Cao et al [8] have studied the
mechanical properties of biodegradable composite with bagasse fiber before and after alkali
treatment. Mechanical properties of the composites made from alkali treatment fibers were
superior to the untreated fibers. Composites with 1% NaoH solution treated fibers showed
maximum improvement. A. A. Kafi et al [9] have studied the mechanical properties of jute/glass
fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composites. The change in tensile and flexural
properties as a function of fiber content and as a consequence of UV radiation was investigated. It
had been observed that radiation treatment on both the jute and glass fiber maintaining 1:3 ratios
gives the best mechanical property. The mechanical and thermal properties of unidirectional jute-
vinyl ester composites have been studied by M.A. Khan and S.K. Bhattacharia [10]. This study
established the relationship of interfacial bond strength between 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate
treated jute fiber and vinyl ester in the composites.

2. EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS
2.1 Sample preparation
The PVC sheets and jute fibers were cut into length of 152.4 mm with the help of scissor. The
composites were made for different ratio of PVC and jute (100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15 and 80:20
weight %). Each layer of PVC was preimpregnated with jute fibers and placed one over another as
a sandwich making system. The sandwich was then subjected to heat of 1600 C for 1 hour and
pressure of 100 KN. The holding time was taken about 10 minutes. Then the system was allowed
to cool by tap water.

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July December

2.2 Physical properties analysis
To measure bulk density, the sample was weighted on a balance to a precision of ± 0.1% and then
volume was measured with the help of length, width and height. To measure water absorption
properties, the specimens were cut from the molded sheets and weighted by a digital balance. All
specimens were then placed in a container of distilled water with temperature 500 C and kept their
n water
for different times (0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours). The samples were periodically taken out from water
and wiped off with tissue paper. The samples were then re-weighted to the nearest 0.0001 gm.
re weighted
2.3 Mechanical properties analysis
es
The tensile test was carried out by using an NC machine to determine tensile strength and
elongation of the specimen. The test speed was 500 mm/min. Bar shaped specimens having
dimension 5 cm ×1.3 cm × 0.06 cm (up to 0.12 cm) with rectangular cross-sections were prepared
sections
for flexural measurements. Flexural measurements were performed to a freely supported
beam, loaded at mid-span. The loading speed was 1 mm/min and support-span was 38
span. support
mm in dimension.
2.4 Thermal properties analysis
Thermal properties of the samples were monitored by a coupled Differential Thermal Analyzer
(DTA) and Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA). Composites were taken using a computer
controlled to an EXSTAR 6000 STATION, Seiko Instrument Inc. Japan. The TGA/DTA module
Japan.
uses a horizontal system balance machine. The specifications of the instruments were: heating rate:
0.1 K/min. to 100.00 K/min, TGA measuring range: ±200 mg (0.2µg), DTA measuring range: ±
g),
100µV (0.06 µV), Gas flow: 1000 mm/min.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Physical properties
3.1.1. Bulk density
The effect of variation on the wt. % of jute on the density of jute reinforced PVC composites is
compo
illustrated in Fig. 1. It is evident that the density of jute-PVC composites decreases with
jute PVC
increasing of the amount of jute. This is due to the lower density of jute fiber. The bulk density
decreases from 1.42 to 1.29 gm/cc, when the amount of jute increases from 0 to 20 wt. %.
jute
1.44
Bulk density in gm/cc

1.40

1.36

1.32

1.28
0 5 10 15 20
Wt% of the jute fiber
Fig. 1: Effect of jute fiber addition on density of jute-PVC composites.
PVC

269


3.1.2. Water absorption
The effect of immersion time on water absorption of PVC-jute fiber composites is presented in
Fig. 2.
2.00
5%
10%

t%
1.50 15%
ater absorption in w 20%

1.00
W

0.50

0.00
0 1 2 3 4 5
Time in hours

Fig. 2: Effect of immersion time on water absorption of PVC-jute fiber composites.
It is found that the amount of water absorption in composites is increasing with increasing soaking
time. The cellulosic effect, the lignin effect and also void spaces present in the composites might
be responsible for the increase of water absorption with soaking time.
3.2 Mechanical properties
3.2.1. Tensile strength
Fig. 3 shows the variation of tensile strength with wt. % of jute in PVC-jute fiber composites. The
tensile strength of the fabricated composites increases with increase of filler addition. This is
because the fibers are well distributed, interfacial bonding between the fiber and matrix is
excellent and both the fiber and matrix bear the load and fibers make resistance to slip.

57
Tensile strength in MPa

54

51

48
0 5 10 15 20
Wt% of jute fiber
Fig. 3: Effect of variation of wt % of jute on the tensile strength.

270


3.2.2. Elongation break
Fig. 4 represents the effect of jute fiber addition on elongation break. It reveals that the presence
of fiber addition restricts the slip resulting in lesser ductility and consequently the % of elongation
decreases with increase of jute fiber addition. It also reveals that the randomly oriented jute fiber
is reinforcing the PVC matrix and from 0% to 20% fiber addition both the fibers and matrix bear
the load.
9

Elongation at break in %

6

3

0
0 5 10 15 20
Wt% of jute fibe r

Fig. 4: Effect of variation of wt % of jute on % elongation.
3.2 Thermal properties
Fig. 5 shows the TG, DTA and DTG of jute fiber. The top one is the TG, the bottom one is
the DTG and the middle one is the DTA curve of jute fiber.

Fig. 5 TG, DTA and DTG of jute fiber

271


The TG curve shows an initial 2.2% loss corresponds to moisture content. The lighter substances
are removed initially and then heavier materials are removed. The TG curve shows that major
degradation occurs in one stage. DTA curves of jute fiber shows three endothermic peaks at
° ° ° °
82.2 C, 268.5 C and 368.8 C. The first peak at 82.2 C is due to removal of moisture, the
second peak is due to lighter material and the third peak corresponds to major degradation
° °
respectively. Two DTG peaks were found at 295.8 C and 363.4 C which are correspondent to
°
lighter and heavier material. The maximum degradation occurs at the temperature 363.4 C
with the rate of 0.565 mg/min.
Fig. 6 shows the TG, DTA and DTG curves of PVC film. The top one is the TG, the
bottom one is the DTG and middle one is the DTA curves of PVC.

Fig. 6 TG, DTA and DTG of PVC film

The TG curve shows that the major degradation occurs at two stages for the PVC. DTA curve of PVC
shows two endothermic peaks at 299.7°C and 447.0°C. Two DTG peaks are found at 298.6°C and 443.5° C.
The peaks are for de hydro chlorination and de polymerization. DTG curve of PVC depicts that
the maximum degradation occurs at the temperature 298.6°C with the rate of 1.048 mg/min.

Fig. 7 shows the TG, DTA and DTG curves of PVC-jute composites. The top one is the
TG, bottom one is the DTG and middle one is the DTA curves for PVC-jute composites.

272


Fig. 7 TG, DTA and DTG of PVC-jute composites
The TG curve shows that the major degradation occurs at two stages for the composites. The TG
curve also shows an initial loss of 1.1% which is due to moisture content. DTA curve of
° ° °
composite shows three endothermic peaks at 77.5 C, 299.0 C and 451.5 C. The DTG curve also
° °
reveals that there are two peaks at the temperature of 299.0 C and 444.9 C. DTG curve of
°
composites depicts that the maximum degradation occurs at the temperature 299.0 C with the rate
of 1.154 mg/min.
Fig.8 shows the TG, DTA and DTG curves of PVC film, jute and composites. The black
curve is for PVC film. The red curve is for jute fiber and the blue curve is for
composites. The thermal stability of composites is found to be the average of PVC and jute fiber
(long) composites. All data are represented in table-1.

Fig. 8 TG, DTA and DTG of PVC film, jute and composites
273


Table 1 DTA and DTG of jute fiber, PVC film and composites

1st peak 2nd peak 3rd peak Degradation
Sample Maximum at rate

(°C) mg/min

Jute fiber 82.2 268.5 368.8 363.4 0.565
PVC film 299.7 447.0 298.6 1.048

Composites 77.5 299.0 451.5 299.0 1.154

4. CONCLUSION

Jute-PVC composites demonstrate good mechanical strength and can be used as
environmentally degradable thermoplastics. The bulk density of fabricated composites decreases
with increase of fiber addition. The tensile strength of jute-PVC composites increases with the
increase of fiber addition. Water absorption increases with the increase of soaking time because
with the addition of fiber the composites were more prone to water. The TG, DTG and DTA
curves of composites are the average of jute fiber and of PVC. The degradation of composites was
occurring in two stages. The thermal stability of PVC-jute fiber (long) composites is higher than that
of jute fiber but lower than that of PVC film.

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575-588 (2006).
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