In situ jute yam composite with HEMA via UV radiation

Jute yarns soaked for 30 min in 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) + MeOH so lutions at different proportions [1-20% HEMA in MeOH (v/v)] were irradiated in situ with a UV lamp for different periods. The treated jute yarns that were washed in acetone after the irradiation to remove the unused excess mo nomer HEMA gained about 10% polymer loading with enhanced tensile strength (80%) and elongation (95%). The tenacity was not further increased by incor poration of a minute amount (1%) of novel additives into the HI:MA + MeOH s olutions, but elongation was enhanced up to 140% when the additive urethane acrylate (1%) was mixed with the solution. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc .