Jute fiber/polyethylene biocomposites were prepared using a hot press molding technique. The effects of maleic anhydride, clay, and silica on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of jute fiber-reinforced polyethylene (PE) biocomposites with different fiber loadings (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%) were investigated. The biocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectros...

Jute, kenaf, and ramie are important fiber crops in the textile industry, but their core stalks have not been well used. In this study, three fiber crops were examined with enhanced hexoses yields (% cellulose) up to 4.8-, 3.6-, and 1.9-fold from enzymatic hydrolysis of the steam-exploded stalks. Sequential dilute acid/alkali pretreatments achieved the increased hexoses yields up to 7.6-, 4.8-,...

We have developed a method for the three-dimensional (3D) printing of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics based on fused-deposition modeling. The technique enables direct 3D fabrication without the use of molds and may become the standard next-generation composite fabrication methodology. A thermoplastic filament and continuous fibers were separately supplied to the 3D printer and the fi...

Special media suitable for the isolation of fungi growing on jute were developed. Species that would better resist sunlight, such as organisms with dark hyphae and spores or closed fruit bodies, predominated on weather-exposed fabrics. Several strongly cellulolytic organisms not previously implicated in fiber decomposition were isolated from this source. On the other hand, the fungi obtained fr...

Agro-based fibers are classified according to what part of the plant they come from. Five different fiber classifications will be used in this report: (1) bast or stem fibers, which are the fibrous bundles in the inner bark of the plant stem running the length of the stem; (2) leaf fibers, which run the length of leaves; (3) seed-hair fibers; (4) core, pith or stick fibers, which form the low d...

Effect of geometry on crushing behavior, energy absorption and failure mode of woven roving jute fiber/epoxy laminated composite tubes were experimentally studied. Investigations were carried out on three different geometrical types of composite tubes (circular, square and radial corrugated) subjected to axial compressive loading. It was observed in axial crushing study that the load bearing ca...

Jute (Corchorus sp.) is naturally occurring, biodegradable, lignocellulosic-long, silky, golden shiny fiber producing plant that has great demands globally. Paper and textile industries are interested in jute because of the easy availability, non-toxicity and high yield of cellulosic biomass produced per acre in cultivation. Jute is the major and most industrially used bast fiber-producing crop...

Jute, Corchorus capsularis, is the most important cash crop of Pakistan. Most of the foreign exchange earned comes from the export of jute. For this reason jute is popularly called the "golden fiber" of Pakistan. A very importanit step in the jute industry is retting. During this process, some microorganisms decompose pectins of jute bark and the intervening tissues disintegrate. The pectins ar...

Anthracnose, caused by the Colletotrichum species of fungi, is one of the most serious diseases affecting jute in China. The disease causes chlorotic regions with black brown sunken necrotic pits on the surfaces of stems. In late stages of disease, plants undergo defoliation, dieback and blight, which make anthracnose a major threat to jute fiber production and quality in China. In this study, ...

Jute is a strong, stiff, natural fiber. When blended with cotton it makes a sturdy but prickly fabric due to protruding surface jute fibers. Samples of jute-cotton blended fabric were treated with commercial cellulases, xylanases and pectinases individually and in combination at various concentrations in order to smooth and soften the fabric. Enzyme treatment was carried out at 50°C in the pres...