Effect of treatment using silane coupling agent on creep properties of jute fiber reinforced composites

Abstract

In this study, effects of surface treatment on tensile and flexural creep properties of jute fiber reinforced composite were investigated. The reinforcement was plain woven jute fiber cloth and matrix was polylactic acid (PLA). The jute fiber cloth and PLA are naturally-derived materials. So, the jute fiber reinforced composites have a poor interfacial adhesion. Therefore, the silane coupling agent treatment was used to improve the interfacial adhesion. The alkoxy group of silane is hydrolyzed and changed by silanol group (Si-OH). And interface adhesion improvement is expected by covalent bond with the hydroxyl group of the jute fiber surface. As a result, the interfacial adhesion between jute fiber and matrix was improved by the silane treatment, and the tensile and flexural creep strains of composite decreased. The creep compliance of composite was improved by using silane treated jute fiber except for flexural creep compliance at high temperature. © 2012 WIT Press.