• Composites Research
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.23-31
• /
• 2007

In order to improve the mechanical properties of jute fiber/polypropylene(PP) composites, the property change with the addition of a coupling agent, maleic anhydride polypropylene(MAPP) was examined experimentally. The maleated coupler acts as an intermediate to chemically connect the polar nature of the fiber and non-polar nature of the polyolefin polymer resin. Furthermore, the decrease in viscosity of the resin which results from the melting point reduction by the MAPP, leads to an increase of contact area with the fiber interface. We discussed the improvement of the PP composite blend of the maleated coupler with the 80mm jute long fiber mat in conjunction with the change of physical parameters in the thermoplastic resin. We confirmed the extent of contribution to the mechanical physical enhancement by using the following parameters: melting flow index(MI) and viscosity, contact angle, thickness of the composite, interfacial shear strength and morphology observation etc. Especially it was observed that the MI and viscosity, MAPP mixture had a very strong relationship with the tensile and flexural strength and modulus, and interfacial shear strength(IFSS).