Mechanical and thermal properties of cellulose nanocrystals from jute fibers reinforced epoxy composites

This study investigated the effects of loadings of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) extracted from jute fibers on the chemical, mechanical and thermal properties of the Epoxy matrix. The CNC/Epoxy composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, tensile tests, dynamic mechanical analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Experimental results showed that the tensile strength, modulus, and work of fracture showed a statistically significant increase from 1 to 5 wt.% CNC loading. In addition, TG measurements revealed that the onset temperature (Tonset) and temperature at maximum decomposition rate (Tmax) for composites decreased compared to neat epoxy with increasing CNC concentration. Dynamic mechanical analysis studies showed that the storage modulus values at 35 °C and 120 °C decreased for lower 1 wt% CNC content sample compared to neat epoxy, then increased for samples loaded with 3 and 5 wt% of CNC.