The effect of strain rate on jute fiber composites

Abstract

The present experimental work is aimed to study the effect of different loading rate on mechanical behaviour of jute composites. Surface modification was done in order to get better interfacial bonding between jute and resin. These composites showed insensitive behavior at high loading rate. The loading rate behavior of the composite was compared on the basis of different surface treatments of jute fiber. Composites are fiber reinforced materials. Fibers must have high strength and high elastic modulus while the matrix must be ductile and non-reactive with the fibers. Now a days natural fibers are used as reinforcements in composites. Fiber–reinforced polymer matrix composites are gaining potential application in structural and nonstructural areas. The raw jute fibers are cut into desired number of equal size pieces and then alkali treatment of these jute fibers is done in 5%NaOH. Fabrication of composites is done by Hand lay-up technique where alternate layers of resin mix and jute fibres are placed and loaded in hydraulic press.Finally 3-point bend test is done in INSTRON 1195 machine. The loading rate insensitivity of composites in sense of stress at yield and ILSS values at higher loading rate were obtained which is explained on the basis of changing failure modes as the crosshead velocity changes.