A fabrication process of high volume fraction of jute fiber/polylactide composites for truck liner

Aiming at the green manufacturing technology of automotive industry, in the past, some researchers have developed green materials—fully degradable natural fiber reinforced polylactide composites. In the researches, the natural fiber volume fraction (or weight fraction) ranges from 20% to 55%. In order to lower the cost of the composites, an effective way is to increase natural fiber volume fraction and decrease polylactide fraction. In this research, a more uniform fiber blending method is employed, and the natural fiber volume fraction is increased to 70%. The fabrication process includes two steps: felt making and hot pressed molding. Short jute fiber and short PLA fiber are blended on a fiber opening machine in terms of fiber volume fractions, 60% and 70% respectively. The mixtures are carded and needle punched to make felt. Then the felt is hot pressed at 180 °C, and the jute/PLA composites are fabricated. Mechanical properties of the composites with different fiber volume fractions are investigated. Real size truck liners are successfully manufactured. The composites have very good formability and processability.