(81e) Characterization of Mechanical Properties of Jute Fiber Mats Reinforced Polyester Matrix Composites

In advance of the enforcement of the recycling law in Japan, Japanese automobile makers have been started to develop easy-to-recycle vehicle structures and taking steps to reduce substances of environmental concern. Therefore, many efforts in this area focus on the use of renewable resources such as natural fibers to reinforce biodegradable polymer resin composite materials for a variety of structural applications in automotive industry. In this research, polymeric composite materials were fabricated from jute fibers mats reinforced unsaturated polyester resin. The reinforcing mats were prepared from jute fibers slivers (50%) and recycled jute fibers (50%), respectively. Evaluation of mechanical properties (flexural, impact, etc.) was carried out and compared with those of plain woven jute fibers reinforced unsaturated polyester matrix composites.