Jute composite and its applications

S. Das

Indian Jute Industries Research Association

17 Taratola Road, Kolkata-700088, India

Background:
Composite materials from man-made fibres (i.e. glass fibre, carbon fibre etc.) are
already available as products for consumer and industrial uses. A relatively newer
concept is to consider natural fibres as a reinforcing material. Stringent
environmental legislation and consumer awareness has forced industries to
support long term sustainable growth and develop new technology based on
renewable feedstock that are independent of fossil fuels. As the current status
quo, the main reinforcement for the composite industry is glass fibres; 22.3 million
tons (metric) are produced globally on an annual basis. Although glass fibre
products have somewhat superior mechanical properties, their life cycle
performance is very questionable.

Manufacturing of these products not only

consume huge energy but their disposal at the end of their life cycle is also very
difficult since there is virtually no recycling option.
Annual industrial crops grown for fibre, have the potential to supply enough
renewable biomass for various bio-products including composites. The scope of
possible uses of natural fibres is enormous.

This is substantiated by the

declaration of United Nation for 2009 as International Year of Natural Fibres (IYNF).
All over the world, the bio-composite industry is developing at a significant pace to
meet growing consumer awareness and follow new environmental regulations. A
survey done by Canadian Agri-Food Research Council (CARC) in 2003 showed
that the European automotive industry has already taken the lead and uses
approximately 22,000 tons of natural plant fibre in low stress applications in cars.
In 2005, 19000 tones of natural fibres were used in Germany for automotive
composite. Lignocellulosic bio-fibre derived from various origins such as leaf, bast,
fruit, grass or cane; contribute to the strength of bio as well as synthetic polymer
composites in various applications. These fibres are renewable, non-abrasive to
process equipment, and can be incinerated at the end of their life cycle for energy
recovery as they possess a good deal of calorific value. They are also very safe
during handling, processing and use. Major natural fibres of vegetative origin used
as reinforcement are shown in Table- 1. Both thermoset and thermoplastic
matrices are used for development of natural fibre reinforced composite, the
comparative study of these two type of matrices are shown in Table- 2

Table: 1 Major natural fibres of vegetative origin used as reinforcement

Fibre
Bagasse
Bamboo
Banana
Coconut husk
Flax
Hemp
Jute
Kenaf
Sisal
Wood

Type
Cane
Grass
Stem
Fruit
Bast
Bast
Bast
Bast
Leaf
Stem

Advantages of natural fibre reinforced composites:

Reduction in density of products.

Acceptable specific strength, toughness and stiffness in comparison

with glass fibre reinforced composites.

Ease of shaping into complex shapes in a single manufacturing

process.

Lower energy consumption from fibre growing to finished composites

The manufacturing processes are relatively safe when compared with

glass based reinforced composites.

Possibility of recycling the cuttings and wastage produced during

manufacturing and moulding.

The production of natural fibres can be started with a low capital

investment and with a lower cost.

Bast fibres exhibit good thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

Table: 2 Summary of advantages and disadvantages of thermoset and

thermoplastics as matrix
Property
Formulations
Melt viscosity
Fibre impregnation
Prepeg stability
Processing cycle
Processing

Thermoset
Complex
Very low
Easy
Poor
Long
Low to moderate high

Thermoplastics
Simple
High
Difficult
Excellent
Short to long
High

temperature / pressure
Environmental durability
Solvent resistance
Database

Good
Excellent
Very large

Unknown
Poor to good
Small

The typical basic inherent characteristics of lignocellulosic fibre are shown in

Tables- 3 & 4.
Table: 3 Cell wall polymers responsible for the properties of lignocellulosics
in the order of importance
Biological Degradation

Moisture Sorption

Ultraviolet Degradation

Hemicellulose

Hemicellulose

Lignin

Accessible Cellulose

Accessible Cellulose

Hemicellulose

Non-Crystalline Cellulose

Non-Crystalline Cellulose

Accessible Cellulose

Lignin

Non-Crystalline Cellulose

Crystalline Cellulose

Crystalline Cellulose

Thermal Degradation

Strength

Hemicellulose

Crystalline Cellulose

Cellulose

Matrix (Non-Crystalline Cellulose + Hemicellulose + Lignin)

Lignin
Ref: Chemical modification of agro-resources for property enhancement, Paper
Lignin

and Composites from Agro-based resources. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1996

Table: 4 Degradation reactions that occur when lignocellulosic resources

are exposed to nature.
Biological Degradation

Fire Degradation

Fungi, Bacteria, Insects, Termites

Lighting, Sun, Man

Enzymatic Reactions

Pyrolysis Reactions

Chemical Reactions
Water Degradation

Weather Degradation

Rain, Sea, Ice, Acid Rain

Ultraviolet Radiation, Water, Heat, Wind

Water Interactions
Mechanical Degradation

Chemical Reactions

Dust, Wind, Hail, Snow, Sand

Mechanical

Ref: Chemical modification of agro-resources for property enhancement, Paper

and Composites from Agro-based resources. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1996
Disadvantages of natural fibre reinforced composites:

Lack of consistency of fibre quality, high level of variability in fibre

properties depending upon source and cultivars.

Preparation of fibre is labour intensive and time consuming.

Poor compatibility between fibres and matrix, which requires surface

treatment of fibres.

High moisture absorption, which brings about dimensional changes in

composite materials.

Low density of bast fibres can be disadvantageous during composites

processing application because fibre tends to migrate to the surface rather
then getting mixed with matrix.

Fluctuation in price depending upon the global demand and production.

Problem of storing raw material for extended time due to possibility of

degradation, biological attack of fungi and mildew, loss in colour, and foul
odour development.

Lower resistance to ultra violet radiation, which causes the structural

degradation of the composites.

Major R & D Work at IJIRA

Extensive R & D work has been carried out at IJIRA on jute reinforced composite
since early 80s. The first work was carried out in collaboration with AERE,
Harwell, U.K. using high performance matrices i.e. epoxy, polyester etc. to
compare with mainly glass fibre reinforced composites.
From late 80s the objective was concentrated to develop wood substitute by jute
composite targeting packaging and building materials. Low density polyethylene
films were used with jute non-woven and fabric for fabrication of jute composite.
These were tried for packaging of tea & horticultural produce. Some of the
mechanical properties are given in Tables-5 & 6.
Table: 5 Flexural Properties of jute composite from jute nonwoven and low
density polyethylene as matrix
Sl.
No.
1.

Samples

Flexural Strength

Flexural Modulus

Strain

Jute non-woven* +

(MPa)
31.84

(MPa)
1433

%
8.013

LDPE film
*Jute nonwoven- unidirectional & 400 gsm (nominal) *LDPE film- 50 gsm
Ref: Studies on jute composite from jute nonwoven, 16 th Technological
conference, IJIRA, 11th 12th Feb, 1993
Table: 6 Properties of jute composite from jute nonwoven and low density
polyethylene as matrix for packaging end- uses. (IIP- Kolkata)
Material
Gram/m

Jute non-

1470

Puncture

Average test value

Water
Bursting

Tensile

Mod. of

resistance

absorption

str.

str.

elasticity

oz-inch

(surface)

Kg/cm2

(MPa)

(MPa)

tear inch

24 hrs at 30

577.1

C, gm/m2
20.7

45.3

31.36

1756

woven +
LDPE film
Ref: Studies on jute composite from jute nonwoven, 16 th Technological
conference, IJIRA, 11th 12th Feb, 1993

Lignocellulosic fibres are favourably bonded with phenolic resin to have better
water resistance rather than urea or melamine resin. Hence, water soluble phenol
formaldehyde resin was selected for the development of rigid jute board for good
serviceable mechanical properties. To achieve better wetability of jute with resin
and to improve strength properties, fibre pre-treatment is necessary. Simple pretreatment is done with low-condensed resins like melamine resin, phenolic resin
and CNSL modified phenol formaldehyde resin. Indicative physical properties of
jute composites from untreated & pre treated jute nonwoven with PF resin are
shown in Table-7.
Jute as other lignocellulosic fibres consists of OH group which causes it
susceptible to moisture and directly impairs the properties of jute composite
specially dimensional stability. Due to this polar group, jute also is not efficiently
adhered to non polar matrices. To overcome this difficulties this fibre should be
modified chemically or hygrothermally. To improve the interface adhesion between
the non polar matrices and hydrophilic fibre, coupling agent or compatibiliser
should be used.
Some investigations were done by cyanoethylation and acetylation of jute fibre to
reduce the OH content.

The both processes are effective for dimensional

stability. Cyanoethylation also improves the bonding between jute and non polar
matrix like unsaturated polyester resin.
Indicative properties of jute composites made from modified fibres with urea
formaldehyde resin & unsaturated polyester resin (USP) are given in Tables-8 & 9.

Table: 7 Physical properties of different jute composites

Sl.

Samples

No.

Tensile

Flexural

Flexural strength

strength

strength (Dry)

(After 2 hrs.

(MPa)

(MPa)

boiling in water)

1.

Untreated non-

42.10

68.24

(MPa)
22.17

2.

woven* + PF resin
MF pretreated non-

49.99

73.97

27.50

3.

woven + PF resin
PF pretreated non-

47.70

72.32

26.13

4.

woven + PF resin
CNSL PF

62.21

90.03

58.27

pretreated nonwoven + PF resin

Ref: Studies on jute composite from jute nonwoven, 16 th Technological
conference, IJIRA, 11th 12th Feb, 1993
Table: 8 Effect of Cyanoethylation on Mechanical Properties of jute
composites
Sample

Control

Tensile
Strength
(MPa)

Flexural
Strength
(MPa)

Flexural
Mod
(GPa)

74.24

84.81

12.97

Water absorption
%

Thickness swelling %

2hr in
boiling
water

24hr in
cold
water

2hr in
boiling
water

24hr in cold
water

48.09

49.76

62.31

31.94

MJC-4
108.60
136.90
18.05
12.46
5.45
12.97
10.36
Ref: Improvement of functional properties of jute based composite by acrylonitrile
pretreatment, J. of Applied Polymer Science, vol. 78, 495-506 (2000)

Table: 9 Effect of Acetylation on Mechanical Properties of jute composites

Sl.

Samples

No.

Tensile

Flexural

Thickness

% Retention

% Retention of

strength strength

swelling %

of tensile

flexural strength

strength after

after 5 cyclic

5 cyclic test

test (immersion

(immersion &

& oven dry)

oven dry)
30.35
50.25
29.35
48.77
55.70
61.12

24.12
50.34
26.25
49.47
55.12
59.33

(MPa)

(MPa)

1 hr

1.
CNa
62.92
39.13
29.00
2.
ANa
66.66
42.33
17.50
3.
CNH
56.25
37.12
23.5
4.
ANH
57.22
39.00
14.00
5.
CMF
49.58
40.21
17.00
6.
AMF
60.04
44.45
13.36
Jute sliver + 25% UF resin including additives

7 days

40.80
23.00
37.55
20.00
20.70
18.9

CNa- control jute sliver with NaCl and UF resin; ANa- acetylated jute sliver with NaCl and
UF resin;
CNH- control jute sliver with NH 4Cl and UF resin;ANH- control jute sliver with NH 4Cl and
UF resin;
CMF- control jute sliver with melamine and UF resin; AMF- control jute sliver with
melamine and UF resin;
Ref: Effect of acetylation on dimensional stability, mechanical and dynamic
properties of jute board, J. of Applied Polymer Science, vol.72, 935-944
(1999)
Hygrothermal pretreatment on jute fibre was done by spraying extra water on fibre
and was formed in square mat. The mat was placed in a closed mould and
pressed at 200 C for a few minutes to modify the fibre. These modified fibres
were moulded with PF resin as normal compression moulding process. Here the
dimensional properties have been improved but the other mechanical properties
have been reduced drastically due to thermal degradation of fibre and shown in
Table- 10.

Table: 10 Effect of Steam Pretreatment on properties of jute composites

Samples

Flex. Str.
kg/cm2

Flex. Mod.
Kg/cm2

Water absorption
%
24 h. 2 h boiling
Control
127.32
18578.84 166.57
137.13
SB4
39.28
12682.42
95.6
90.94
SRB4
85.87
13963.74
64.3
64.5
SB8
24.46
7412.00
88.93
87.26
SRB8
77.68
8825.40
56.75
60.18
Control- board from jute fibre + 7% PF;

Thickness swelling
%
24 h.
2 h boiling
77.65
97.27
18.69
24.45
16.07
24.24
11.98
21.67
11.52
21.09

SB4- board from 4 min. steam stabilized fibre.

SB8- board from 8 min. steam stabilized fibre.
SRB4- board from 4 min. steam stabilized fibre + 7% PF
SRB8- board from 8 min. steam stabilized fibre + 7% PF
Ref: Effect of steam pretreatment of jute fibre on dimensional stability of jute
composite, J. of Applied Polymer Science, vol.76, 1652-1661 (2000)
Process steps for fabrication of jute composite from thermoset resin:

Impregnation & drying- jute substrate (nonwoven / woven fabric) is

dipped in resin solution and squeezed to retain the required amount of
resin and then passed through dryer to reduce the moisture.
Cutting of substrate- The treated substrate is cut to size as per dimension
required.
Compression moulding- Books inside the platen are pressed to desired
specific pressure and temperature for pre defined time to get moulded
product. After completion of compression cycle, the platens are cooled to
optimum temperature & then the pressure is released to take out the
products.
Post curing- Compression moulded products are post cured in oven to get
fully cured and free from any precondensate polymer.
Cutting & sanding- The moulded product is trimmed and sanded.

For continuous moulded profile from jute reinforced composite, thermoplastic

matrix (PP) was used for melt blend with jute. In this process short jute fibre was
melt blended with polypropylene granules in presence of compatibilizer maleated
polypropylene. The properties are optimized on 60% jute fibre with 38%
polypropylene and 2% maleated polypropylene (Table- 11).

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Table: 11 Effect of Compatibiliser on Mechanical Properties of Jute-PP

composites
Sample

J600

Tensile
Strength(MPa)

33.5

Tensile
Modulus(GPa)

Flexural
Flexural
Strength(MPa) Mod(GPa)

10.35

J602
68
10.50
J600- Jute fibre 60%, Polypropylene 40%

Water Absorption
%
2hr in
boiling
water

24hr in
cold
water

57.50

10.02

3.06

1.86

109

10

2.22

0.91

J602- Jute fibre 60%, Polypropylene 38%, Maleated polypropylene 2%

Ref: Short jute fibre reinforced polypropylene composites: Effect of
compatibiliser, J. of Applied Polymer Science, vol.69, 329-338 (1998)

Process steps for melt blend of jute PP:

Chopping- Jute fibre was stapled unto 100 mm

Granulating- Stapled jute fibres were further reduced in size unto 10 mm
(max) by passing through rotary granulating m/c
Mixing- Short jute fibres with matrix were mixed in Kinetic mixer m/c at
5500 rpm & 199 C to form dough
Pressing- Hot dough of mixture was flattened by pressing with hydraulic
press to release excess heat
Reduction of size- Flattened dough sheet was cut into pieces by running
through band saw
Granulating- Small pieces were further reduced in size by running through
granulator.
Injection molding- Granules of jute-pp were injection moulded to test
pieces.

Age old practice of fabrication of reinforced product is hand lay-up process. But
resin consumption is very high and productivity is very low due to long processing
time. New moulding technique, i.e. Resin Transfer Moulding, is used to replace
hand layup process for better productivity and quality.
Resin transfer moulding literally means the transfer of the matrix under pressure
to the closed mould containing the reinforcing substrate. This is the inverse
process of vacuum moulding. Mainly unsaturated polyester resin was used as
matrix. Work was done to evaluate the influence of jute as an additional substrate
with glass and some of the properties are shown in Table- 12

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Table: 12 Flexural Properties of jute and jute-glass fibre composites

fabricated by resin transfer moulding
Sl.
no

Weight of fibre
Flex. Str.
Flex. Mod.
%
(MPa)
(GPa)
Jute
Glass
Total
1
33
-33
95.65
6.65
2
28
-28
82.55
5.85
3
18
15
33
121.51
6.88
4
-33
-153.77
7.12
Ref: Jute composites by Resin Transfer Moulding- An improved alternatives for
hand lay up technique, 20th Technological Conference, April 18, 1998
Pultrusion is a modern technique used for producing continuous fibre reinforced
profile in which the orientation of the fibre is kept constant during cure. This
process is suitable for thermosetting resins like polyester, epoxy & phenolic resin
systems. An infinite number of profiles can be produced using appropriate dies
and includes rods, tubes, flat & angle sections. Pultrusion technique has been
utilized for making door frame using jute as reinforcement and phenol
formaldehyde resin as matrix. This has been evaluated by Central Building
Research Institute, Roorkee & shown in the Table- 13.
Table: 13 Physico-mechanical properties of pultruded jute profile
Property
Value
A.
Physical properties
Bulk density (Kg/m3)
873
Moisture content (%)
4.41
Water absorption (%)
I. 2 hrs.
3.61
II. 24 hrs.
12.31
Surface water absorption (24 hrs., %)
1.52
Change in swelling (%)
I. Thickness
0.37
II. Length
0.013
III. width
0.041
Due to surface absorption (%)
Negligible
B.
Mechanical properties
Flexural yield strength (MPa)
62.60
Modulus of elasticity (GPa)
5.31
Tensile strength (MPa)
33.0
Elongation (%)
0.86
Tensile modulus (GPa)
7.98
Internal bond strength (MPa)
0.66
Screw withdrawal strength (N), Face
1800
Ref: Suitability assessment of JRP Pultruded profile as door frame materials in
building, Report No. F(C) 0176, Feb. 1998, Organic Building Materials
Division, CBRI, Roorkee.

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Application areas of jute reinforced polymer composites

with technical advantages
Application areas

Advantages

Automobile industries
door panels
seat backs
headliners,
dash boards
trunk liners

Building Component
Door
Window
Wall partition
Ceiling
Floor

Transport Sector (railway coach &

vehicle)
Flooring
Ceiling
Seat & Backrest

Furniture
Table
Chair
Kitchen cabinet etc.

Lighter in weight
Lesser raw material
Cost economic
Serviceable mechanical
properties
Use of renewable resource
Better physical properties
Fire, termite & better moisture
resistance properties
Available at semi finished /
finished state i.e. reduced
labour & finishing cost
Better physical properties
Fire, termite & better moisture
resistance properties
Available at semi finished /
finished state i.e. reduced
labour & finishing cost
Better physical properties
Fire, termite & better moisture
resistance properties
Available at semi finished /
finished state i.e. reduced
labour & finishing cost

Future R & D plan

Broadly defined bio-composite are composite materials made from natural fibre
and petroleum derived non biodegradable polymers like polyester, phenolic, PP
etc. These polymer matrices are becoming costlier because of the fluctuating
price of petrochemicals. These resins could be made cheaper by modification
with cheaper bio-resources.
Bio-composite derived from plant fibre & crop / bio-derived plastic are likely
more eco-friendly and such bio-composites are termed as green composite.
Future attempt would therefore be to develop cheaper biodegradable matrix
utilizing modification of bio-resources.

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