Free vibration and mechanical behavior of treated woven jute polymer composite

Introduction: Recently, the use of natural fibers have been increased to replace the use of synthetic fibers to save our environment from waste disposal problems, natural fibers have a lower level of mechanical properties. The purpose of work: This study examines the effect of treating the surface and deeper layers of jute fiber on the mechanical behavior and characteristics of free vibrations of a composite material based on it. The methods of investigation: due to the uniform distribution of stresses in the WARP and WEFT directions, four-layer basket weave jute fibers were used in this study. Result and discussion: the mechanical and free vibration properties of composite materials are significantly improved when NaOH is applied to jute fibers because it eliminates the weak matrix material lignin and makes the fibers stiffer and stronger. However, increasing the percentage of NaOH and soaking time for the fibers in NaOH solution have little effect on these properties. The highest value of tensile strength and tensile modulus are found 50 ± 1.17 MPa and 1.94 ± 0.23 GPa respectively seen in case of basket weave jute fiber composite with 1 hour treatment. Tensile strength and tensile modulus increase about 12 % and 40 % over the stokes value, respectively. Similarly the value of flexural strength and flexural modulus are found 95 ± 1.17 MPa and 3.99 ± 0.23 GPa respectively in case of basket weave jute fiber composite with 1 hour treatment. It also shows the highest value of fundamental frequency 77.837 Hz.The presence of an O-H bond in the composite, as revealed by FTIR study, gives it a hydrophilic character and limits its use in humid environments. The fiber to matrix ratio is shown in SEM images.