Effect of Hot-Press Pressure on Mechanical Properties of Unidirectional Jute Spun Yarn Reinforced PLA

Abstract

Natural fiber reinforced composites are carbon neutral materials and anticipated for alternative materials of GFRP. Most of them use biodegradable resin as matrix because biodegradable resin is made out of plants and has biodegradability. Recently, unidirectional reinforcement techniques of natural fibers have been developed for improvements of modulus and strength. Fatigue property of the unidirectional reinforced composites should be investigated to assure the structural integrity. In this paper, the effect of hot-press pressure on mechanical properties of unidirectional jute spun yarn reinforced polylactic acide (PLA) were investigated. Water-soluble PLA resin was used as matrix and jute spun yarn was used as reinforcement. Jute spun yarns were alkaline treated to make preforms. The molding temperature was 140°C and the molding pressures were 100kPa and 200kPa. Fiber volume fractions of composites pressed with 100kPa and 200kPa was 27%-44%. The quasi-static tensile tests and tension-tension fatigue tests were conducted. As a result, it was found that tensile and fatigue properties of composite were improved by using high molding pressure.