Effect of fiber length on the relationship between interfacial strength and tensile strength for jute fiber reinforced polypropylene

The tensile strength was measured for jute fiber reinforced polypropylen (JFPP) having different fiber length. Sample composite plates were fabricated by hot pressing using chopped jute fibers randomly distributed in the sample plate. Three kinds of fiber treatment were applied to change the interfacial strength between fibers and matrix. Fiber length was also changed while little changes were observed in the fiber strength even for any kinds of treatment. The test results showed that the strength of JFPP decreased due to fiber breakage if the fiber length was longer than the observed critical length determined by the interfacial strength. The most effective interfacial strength shifted to high value according to the short fiber length. This means that excess of interfacial strength rather decrease the composite having long jute fibers.