Shout jute fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites: Dynamic mechanical study

Short jute fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared usi ng a high-speed thermokinetic mixer. A compatibilizer was used to improve t he molecular interaction between jute and PP. Both the percent weight fract ion of the jute fiber and compatibilizer were varied to study the dynamic m echanical thermal (DMT) properties. Dynamic parameters such as storage flex ural modulus (E'), loss flexural modulus (E "), storage shear modulus (G'), loss shear modulus (G "), and loss factor or damping efficiency (tan delta ) were determined in a resonant frequency mode. The transition peak nature, amplitude, and temperature of E', E ", G', G ", and tan delta of different compositions were shown to indicate possible improvements of molecular int eraction in the presence of a compatibilizer. The modulus retention term, a plot of the reduced modulus with the weight fraction of the jute fiber, al so indicate its improvement. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.