Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.85, No.14, 2800-2807, 2002
Mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of jute fibers-Novolac-epoxy composite laminates
A study was done of jute composite using a polymer matrix of epoxidized Novolac resin (ENR), diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)-based epoxy, and their blends with different weight percentages of the resins. It was found that on blending ENR with DGEBA, the storage modulii at room temperature are enhanced by about 100% or more in the case of 30 and 40% ENR-containing matrices, whereas the enhancement in the case of 20 and 12% ENR-containing matrices is only 50,70 that of the pure matrix. It was also observed that the tan delta peak heights of the composites containing 30 and 40% ENR are closer to that of 20% ENR-containing composite. The probable explanation drawn on the basis of experimental findings of DMA and mechanical analysis is that by blending ENR with DGEBA epoxy it is possible to manufacture jute composites with increased stiffness without sacrificing their ductility.
Keywords:storage modulus;loss modulus;damping coefficient;synergistic effect;fiber-matrix interaction