MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF JUTE FIBER REINFORCED POTATO WASTE THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE FILM

Abstract

Natural fibres composite is the novel materials in recent decades having a high strength to weight ratio and light in weight, which are widely used for structural and unstructured applications. Jute fiber composite has several attractive advantages over synthetic and glass fiber Composite, like low processing cost, low density, stiffness and excellent mechanical properties. This advantage makes jute a very attractive reinforced fiber for composites and increased attention in construction, automotive, aerospace and many others. This paper is aimed at preparing environment Friendly Thermo plastic Film from Potato waste reinforced with Jute Fiber so as to improve its mechanical properties for packaging and Medical applications. The composite was prepared using hand lay up fabrication Technique. The composites were characterized using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Tensile strength tester, and physical characteristics of the composites (i.e. water absorption) were analyzed. Results of the FTIR shows an improvement in the physical and chemical characteristics of the composite, such as biocompatibility, due to hypsochromic shift in the absorption band of Jute fiber for the (OH, C=O, C=C and C-H) Functional groups from 3335cm^-1,2885, 1737, 1367 cm^-1  to 3270 cm^-1,2902, 1639, 1428 cm^-1 of the same functional groups in the  plastic film Composite. Hence, plastic materials from potato waste was confirmed to be a promising material for packaging and medical applications.