Jute sliver-LDPE composites: Effect of aqueous consolidation on mechanicaland dynamic properties

The aqueous consolidation of jute slivers and its comparison with the contr ol in the LDPE matrix were studied in this article. The increase in strengt h of the consolidated jute sliver-LDPE composite was noticed. Jute slivers were immersed in water, squeezed, air dried, and finally consolidated at 16 0 degrees C for 5 min. These treated jute slivers with or without CSM (chop ped strand mat) and LDPE films were compression molded to different boards and compared among themselves. The studies undertaken for characterization and analysis of the system were (a) flexural behavior, (b) tensile behavior , (c) impact behavior, (d) DMA study, and (e) SEM study. Among mechanical p roperties maximum gain was found in the impact strength. In the SEM study s plitting of fibers were observed after consolidation. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 684-689, 2000.