Integration of biobased functionalized feedstock and plastisol in epoxy resin matrix toward developing structural jute biocomposites with enhanced impact strength and moisture resistance properties

Epoxy resin matrix based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) was modified with addition of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO). Structural jute composites prepared with ESBO modified DGEBA resin showed a decrease in tensile strengths, owing to reduced cross linking density. Percentage elongation of the samples increased with addition of ESBO. An optimized composition was identified, at which the composite showed increase in tensile strength, modulus and elongation. Interestingly, impact strengths increased initially with incorporation of ESBO, but with further increase in ESBO, impact strengths decreased. Structural Jute composites were also prepared by incorporating polyvinyl (chloride) (PVC) plastisol into the modified matrix which showed an increase in both tensile and impact strengths. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) analysis indicated the curing state of the composites. The spectrum peaks became increasingly stronger in the OH band with increasing ESBO quantities. This could be attributed to the hydrophilic nature of ESBO, a result that was well supported by the moisture absorption test. Although, water uptake capacity of ESBO/DGEBA modified matrix composites recorded increasing trend with increased ESBO content, with inclusion of plastisol, the water uptake values dropped. Composite with DGEBA/ESBO/plastisol modified matrix actually recorded water uptake capacity comparable to composite with neat DGEBA, possibly owing to improved interfacial adhesion and hydrophobic nature of PVC plastisol. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:391–397, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers