The Effect of Curative Concentration on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Flexible Epoxy Coated Jute Fabric Reinforced Polyamide 6 Composites

Abstract

Many researchers have shown interest in the reinforcement of commodity thermoplastic with natural fibers. However, the drawback of natural fibers is their low thermal processing temperatures, that border around 200℃. In this investigation, we tried to improve the thermal stability of natural fibers with the use of flexible epoxy surface coating that could facilitate processing with engineering thermoplastics. Jute fabric and Polyamide 6 (PA6) composites were prepared by compression molding. The thermal decomposition characteristics of the jute fabric were evaluated by using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Mechanical analysis was conducted to evaluate tensile test and three point bending test of composite. It was found that thermal degradation resistance of jute fabric was improved by coating with flexible epoxy resin. Moreover, the flexural modulus improved with increasing curative concentration. The interfacial interaction between the epoxy and PA6 was clearly indicated by the photo micrographs of the polished cross sections of the coated and uncoated jute fabric/PA6 composites.