Alkali treatment of jute fibers: Relationship between structure and mechanical properties

The mechanical properties of tossa jute fibers were improved by using NaOH treatment process to improve the mechanical properties of composites materi als. Shrinkage of fibers during this process has significant effects to the fiber structure, as well as to the mechanical fiber properties, such as te nsile strength and modulus. Isometric NaOH-treated jute yarns (20 min at 20 degrees C in 25% NaOH solution) lead to an increase in yarn tensile streng th and modulus of similar to 120% and 150%, respectively. These changes in mechanical properties are affected by modifying the fiber structure, basica lly via the crystallinity ratio, degree of polymerization, and orientation (Hermans factor). Structure-property relationships, developed for cellulosi c man-made fibers, were used with a high correlation factor to describe the behavior of the jute fiber yarns. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.