Degradation of Polypropylene and Jute Fiber-Reinforced Composites Exposed to Natural and Accelerated Aging: Mechanical Properties and Wettability

Population growth and the way resources are being exploited directly affecting environment. The natural fiber market, for example, is worth billions of dollars a huge amount fibers becomes waste. This considerable waste motivates study as reinforcement in polymeric matrix, which benefits both environmental sustainability technical-commercial development new materials with good properties reduced cost. In this study, jute fiber-reinforced composites previously manufactured from an industrial (W), polypropylene, compatibilizer, nano-calcium carbonate (N), were exposed to accelerated aging. tested by infrared spectroscopy, contact angle (CA) measurement, tensile test. Infrared analysis showed greater oxidative degradation after All CA values continued above 90° Among all compositions, ones presence N had highest values, showing that acted waterproofing agent. After aging, significant decrease was observed. did not show variation elastic modulus either Deformation at break decreased significantly compositions no aging programs. No remarkable reduction observed fibers.