Study of jute fiber reinforced polyester composites by dynamic mechanical analysis

Cyanoethylation of jute fibers in the form of nonwoven fabric was studied, and these chemically modified fibers were used to make jute–polyester composites. The dynamic mechanical thermal properties of unsaturated polyester resin (cured) and composites of unmodified and chemically modified jute–polyester were studied by using a dynamic mechanical analyzer over a wide temperature range. The data suggest that the storage modulus and thermal transition temperature of the composites increased enormously due to cyanoethylation of fiber. An increase of the storage modulus of composites, prepared from chemically modified fiber, indicates its higher stiffness as compared to a composite prepared from unmodified fiber. It is also observed that incorporation of jute fiber (both unmodified and modified) with the unsaturated resin reduced the tan δ peak height remarkably. Composites prepared from cyanoethylated jute show better creep resistance at comparatively lower temperatures. On the contrary, a reversed phenomenon is observed at higher temperatures (120°C and above). Scanning electron micrographs of tensile fracture surfaces of unmodified and modified jute–polyester composites clearly demonstrate better fiber–matrix bonding in the case of the latter. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1505–1513, 1999