The Effect of Fiber Chemical Treatment on Chemical Resistance Behavior of Jute Polyethylene Composites for Storage Tank Application

Abstract

The jute polyethylene composites were developed using the hot-press technique with different fiber weight ratios. Due to the hydrophilic nature of fiber, it exhibited poor interfacial interaction to hydrophobic polymer matrix. In order to enhance the interfacial interaction between fiber and polymer, the benzene diazonium salt (BDS), propionic anhydride (PA), and 3-isocyanatopropyl triethoxysilane (silane) treated jute were used for the manufacturing of composites in this study. The chemical resistance tests of prepared composites were performed in order to probe whether these are resistant to various chemicals such as: acids, alkalis, and solvents. The effect of chemical treatments of the composites have been investigated. It was observed that the fabricated composites were resistant to all chemicals except carbon tetrachloride. The treated jute composites showed higher chemical resistance than raw jute composite and silane treated jute composite yield the highest resistance which can be suggested for making the water and chemical storage tanks.