Effect of Chemical Treatment on Thermal Behavior of Jute Fibers 1

Two jute fibers, Corchorus capsularis grade 2 and Corchorus olitorius grade 2, were modified to reduce their moisture regain. The fibers were treated with reagents capable of reacting with hydroxyl groups of cellulose, for example, isopropyl triisostearoyl titanate, γ-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane, tolylene diisocyanate, and sebacoyl chloride. Coating the fibers with resins such as unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester imparted a moisture uptake barrier. The modified fibers were characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. Changes in the fibers' moisture regain were monitored by determining weight loss in nitrogen atmosphere at 50–150°C using dynamic thermogravimetry. There was an approximate 30–40% reduction in moisture uptake of the fibers when treated with various chemical agents. The maximum reduction in moisture regain was obtained with a resin treatment. Thermal stability of the fibers at elevated temperatures was only marginally affected by treatment with the reagents. A composite degradation pattern with features of resin and fiber degradation occurred when jute fibers were treated with the resins.