Physical and mechanical characterization of jute reinforced soy composites

Jute fiber and soymilk extracted from soy seed were selected as ecofriendly and fully biodegradable components for making rigid and strong composite as a replacement of composites made from synthetic components. Rigid composites were prepared using non-woven jute fabric (felt) as reinforcing component and soymilk as matrix resin and properties of the composite specimens were characterized. Jute fiber in the non-woven jute fabric was modified by treating with different concentrations of sodium hydroxide for various time periods before composite fabrication. Significant increase in tensile strength (upto 42%) of jute fibers in the felt was achieved by 2 h, 2% alkali treatment. Both raw and alkali-treated jute felts were used for preparing composites with soy milk as resin using furfuraldehyde as cross linking agent. Different composites were fabricated by varying the quantity of jute felt, crosslinking agent and hot compression time and the process parameters were optimized. Mechanical properties of alkali-treated jute felt composites exhibited better tensile properties than those of raw jute felt composites. These biodegradable jute soy composites with comparable mechanical properties can potentially serve as cost-effective eco-friendly alternative to synthetic polymer-based non-biodegradable fiber composites in automobile, furniture and packaging industries.