Simplified Prediction of Thermal Degradation of Jute-Polyester Textile Composites Using Optical Images.

The paper describes an experimental investigation on the prediction of thermal degradation of natural fiber reinforced composites using simple optical images of the samples. Jute-textile reinforced polyester based composites are fabricated with and without chemical treatment of fibers by hand lay-up method. The thermal degradation of the composite samples is simulated here by subjecting then to isochronal heating at various temperatures ranging from 25°C to 250°C for a period of one hour. The change in color of the optical images of the composite samples due to the thermal treatment is taken as the basis of predicting the thermal degradation. The optical image based prediction of thermal degradation of the composites are then verified through the direct measurement of a number of mechanical properties of the resin as well as composite samples, which include weight loss, tensile strength, percentage elongation, etc. Microstructures of the samples taken after the thermal treatment at different temperatures demonstrate the effect of burning of composites at 225°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]