Influence of chemical treatments on wettability of jute fibres
Aleksandra Bogdan-Włodek, Jakub Wieczorek
Quarterly No. 2, 2010 pages 115-120
DOI:
keywords: natural fibres, alkali treatment, structure - properties relationship, wettability of natural fibres, natural fiber composites
abstract In recent years an essential application of vegetable natural fibers is using them as a reinforcement in polymer composite materials. Replacement of mineral fibers (glass, carbon) by natural fibers in certain uses gives reduction in production cost and in product weight. Natural fibers can replaced glass fibers because of their advantages such as: low density, low price, good mechanical properties, accessibility and degradation. Main problem of natural fibers concerning composite materials technology is low adhesion between fiber and liquid polymer, low dimensional stability, low thermal resistance, high higroscopicity and high flammability. Improvement of these properties may be received by treatment of fiber surface using physical or chemical methods. This paper apply to analysis of changes proceeded in jute fiber as effect of chemical treatment. Influence of chemical treatment was determined on the basis of changes of wettability of jute yearn. Profilograph MICRO PROF FRT was used to investigate the changes of jute fibers structure and resin drop surface. In this research jute fibers were treated with alkaline solution NaOH and KOH, concentration 1, 3, 5 and 15% and vinyl acetate, methanol, toluene diizocyanate. Concentration of each alkaline was examined for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours. This study proves that the process of chemical treatment improves wettability of jute fibers. Chemical treatment have an effect on changes of jute fibers structure too. The best results showed in these terms the fabrics treated with 15% - long-time, 15% - short-time NaOH and KOH water solutions and for vinyl acetate. Applied measurement methods of the study may be generally useful in evaluation of an effect of chemical treatment of natural fibers on their wettability witch liquid matrix.