The single or combined treatment effect of jute surface modification on mechanical and thermomechanical properties of jute/PLA laminated composites

Jute fibers are commonly used as reinforcement in composite materials manufacture due to its excellent mechanical properties. In this study, alkali (NaOH) and silane coupling agent KH570 treatment were conducted on component jute nonwovens to improve the bonding strength of jute/PLA composite interface. The jute/PLA composites were prepared from treated jute nonwovens and PLA films by molding method. The results show that alkali treatment can significantly improve the tensile, flexural and dynamic thermomechanical properties of jute/PLA composites. The composites treated with 1% NaOH exhibits the maximum tensile strength while the composites treated with 5% NaOH presents the maximum flexural strength and the minimum loss in the dynamic thermo-mechanical process. Moreover, the tensile and flexural strength of the composite treated with the combination of 5% NaOH-5% KH570 is significantly stronger than that when they act alone. This research can provide an optimal treatment strategy for the jute/PLA degradable composites with higher mechanical and thermos-mechanical tolerance.