Influence of mercerization along with ultraviolet (UV) and gamma radiation on physical and mechanical properties of jute yarn by grafting with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propylmethacrylate (silane) and acrylamide under UV radiation

Jute yarns were pretreated by alkali (5% NaOH) and were grafted with two types of monomer such as 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propylmethacrylate (silane) and acrylamide (AA) under ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The monomer concentrations were 30% in Methanol (MeOH) and irradiation times were 30 min and 60 min for silane and AA, respectively. The alkali-treated silane-grafted jute yarn produced enhanced tensile strength (TS) (265%), elongation at break (Eb) (350%) with 27% polymer loading (PL) and alkali-treated AA-grafted jute yarn produced enhanced TS (210%), Eb (270%) with 23% PL than that of virgin fiber. Again, the surface of jute yarns were pretreated by alkali along with UV and gamma radiation with different intensities and grafted with silane and acrylamide to further improve the tensile properties of the jute yarn. The jute yarns were pretreated with alkali and UV radiation and grafted with silane showed the best properties such as TS (360%), EB (380%) and 31% PL. Simulated weathering test and water uptake of untreated and treated jute yarns were studied. The alkali + UV-pretreated silanized jute yarn showed lesser water uptake as well as less weight loss and mechanical properties as compared with treated samples.