Characterization of KH-560-Modified Jute Fabric/Epoxy Laminated Composites: Surface Structure, and Thermal and Mechanical Properties

In this study, jute fabrics were used to reinforce epoxy resin to prepare laminated composites. KH-560 silane coupling agent modification was used to improve the interfacial compatibility between fibers and epoxy. The effects of different immersion times (0 min, 10 min, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min) on the jute fiber's element content, crystal structure, and thermal stability, and the mechanical properties of laminated composites were studied. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis showed that the KH-560 modification improved the crystallinity index (CI) and crystallite sizes (CS) of jute fibers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the tensile fracture surfaces revealed a thick epoxy on the modified pulled fiber surfaces. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) analysis identified the presence of silicon and C-O-Si/Si-O-Si cross-linked structures on the surface of modified jute fibers. These cross-linked structures improved the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the laminated composites. When the immersion time was 60 min, the CI, CS, tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of the modified samples were 42.39%, 3.62 nm, 34.6 ± 1.1 MPa, 2.11 ± 0.12 GPa, 83.7 ± 1.8 MPa, and 4.08 ± 0.12 GPa, respectively, which were better than that of unmodified and other modified composites.