Mechanical properties of maleic anhydride treated jute fibre/polypropyiene composites

The effect of maleic anhydride (MA) modification of jute fibre on the mechanical properties of jute/ polypropylene (PP) composites was studied. Jute fibre, an environmental friendly, low-density renewable material was chemically modified with MA before the incorporation with PP to improve interfacial adhesion between them. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) study showed that the C=C groups of MA attached to jute cellulose reacted with the PP matrix. Jute fibre/PP composite treated with MA displayed higher Young's modulus and dynamic storage modulus owing to the enhanced interfacial adhesion between the fibre and PP matrix. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study showed evidence of the enhanced adhesion and bridging in the interfacial region of the composite as the result of MA modification of jute fibre.