Effect of Nano-Clay and Jute Varieties on the Structural, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Polyester Composite

Two varieties of jute fiber, tossa (Corchorus olitorius) and white (Corchorus capsularis), were combined with nano-clay (montmorillonite clay) modified polyester to fabricate composites using the hand lay-up method. The goal was to examine the impact of nano-clay on structural, mechanical, and thermal properties. The two types of jute fibers were first treated with NaOH, and the polyester was then modified with montmorillonite nano-clay (1, 2, 3) (wt%). Finally, 30 cm long unidirectional fibers were used to fabricate a composite (fiber volume fraction is 19.3%). Accordingly, the structural (crystallinity), mechanical, and thermal properties of the composite were examined using the XRD, UTM, and TGA apparatus. Regarding crystallinity, treating the tossa jute fiber and its composite with nano-clay demonstrated improved crystallinity indices of 75.24% and 75.52%. The Tossa jute fiber composite treated with 1% nano-clay exhibits an increased tensile strength of 97.8805 MPa, which is 10.92% higher than the treated fiber without NC, and a flexural strength of 159.79 MPa, which is 3.12% higher than the treated fiber without NC). In comparison to white jute composite, the treated tossa jute fiber composite showed improved thermal stability; the addition of 3% nano-clay also demonstrated higher thermal stability. The use of modified polyester in composites along with nano-clay produces better outcomes in every way