Waste biomass and recycled polypropylene based jute hybrid composites for non-structural applications

There is an overwhelming interest in composite materials derived from bio-based waste resources, recycled plastic materials and their combinations. The judicious utilization of forest waste (Pine needles) and recycling of plastic waste can certainly help the scientists and engineers in achieving the global goals of sustainable development. In the current research endeavor, five different types of hybrid laminates have been developed using recycled PP with 10 wt% of jute woven fiber and varying concentrations of pine needles (10, 20, and 30 wt%). The mechanism of water absorption in developed composites has been discussed. The developed composites have the potential to significantly reduce the usage of plastic (40%) with a slight compromise in the mechanical performance. However, the modulus values were found to increase. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) of the developed samples indicates significant and comparable results as compared to recycled PP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) established that the failure mechanism is mainly dominated by poor fiber-matrix adhesion and low strength of the pine needles. [Graphics] .