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Studies on Acrylonitrile-Butadiene (NBR) Latex-

Reinforced Jute Nonwoven Fabric Composites:
Chemical Resistance, Mechanical Properties, and Water
Absorption
a b
M. N. Satheesh Kumar & Siddaramaiah
a
Research and Development Division, Raman Boards Limited, Mysore, India
b
Department of Polymer Science and Technology, Sri Jayachamarajendra College of
Engineering, Mysore, India

Version of record first published: 15 Feb 2007

To cite this article: M. N. Satheesh Kumar & Siddaramaiah (2006): Studies on Acrylonitrile-Butadiene (NBR) Latex-Reinforced
Jute Nonwoven Fabric Composites: Chemical Resistance, Mechanical Properties, and Water Absorption, Polymer-Plastics
Technology and Engineering, 45:3, 409-414

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 Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, 45: 409414, 2006
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ISSN: 0360-2559 print/1525-6111 online
DOI: 10.1080/03602550600553788

Studies on Acrylonitrile-Butadiene (NBR) Latex-Reinforced

Jute Nonwoven Fabric Composites: Chemical Resistance,
Mechanical Properties, and Water Absorption
M. N. Satheesh Kumar
Research and Development Division, Raman Boards Limited, Mysore, India
Siddaramaiah
Department of Polymer Science and Technology, Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering,
Mysore, India
Downloaded by [University of Guelph] at 02:11 06 July 2012

are renewable, and can also participate in the ecological

Composites were fabricated by impregnating the jute nonwoven
fabric in a bath of acrylonitrile-butadiene (NBR) latex. The effects
of different pickup ratios (dry-to-dry weight) of jute nonwoven
fabric to NBR latex viz., 1:0.5, 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, and 1:2.5 on the
performance of composites have been studied. The fabricated
composites have been evaluated for physico-mechanical properties
and chemical resistance. Percent water absorption of composites
has been determined both at room temperature and boiling water.
Effects of different relative humidity on the equilibrium moisture
content of the natural jute nonwoven fabric-NBR composites have
been evaluated.
Keywords Jute nonwoven fabric; NBR; Composites; Mechanical
properties; Effect of RHs
INTRODUCTION
The composite technology of a polymeric matrix rein-
forced with man-made fibers such as glass, kevlar, carbon,
etc., has come of age, especially with the advances in
aerospace applications. The developments in polymer com-
posite after meeting the challenges of the aerospace sector
have cascaded down to domestic and industrial applica-
tions. Composites, the potential material with light-weight,
high strength-to-weight ratio, and stiffness properties have
come a long way in replacing conventional materials such
as metals, woods, etc. Material technologists all over the
world focused their attention on natural fiber composites
reinforced with jute, sisal, coir, pineapple, etc., primarily
to cut down the cost of raw materials. Raw materials (bio-
mass) are fundamentally important to sustainable develop-
ment simply because they can be grown and consequently
Address correspondence to Siddaramaiah, Department of
Polymer Science and Technology, Sri Jayachamarajendra College
of Engineering, Mysore 570 006, India. E-mail: siddaramaiah@
yahoo.com
biodegradation=regeneration cycles, unlike nonorganic
and fossil materials[1,2].
Jute is a vegetable bast fiber mainly consisting of cellu-
lose, polyols, and lignin. Jute is obtained from the bark of
cultivated species of genus chorcorus. Jute fiber has some
inherent advantages[35] for its renewable nature, biode-
gradability, high strength and initial modulus, moderate
moisture regain, easy dyeablity, good heat and sound insu-
lation properties, and low price. Jute in the form of fabric
has some disadvantages[59] such as poor tensile strength,
water sensitivity, coarseness, stiffness, low extensibility,
and low wet strength. Structures such as dry-formed net-
works of fibers, which are also called nonwoven fabrics
normally, have poor mechanical properties, and polymeric
binding materials are needed to obtain a product with an
acceptable performance[1013]. The polymeric binder can
be added to the network either as an aqueous latex disper-
sion or as a solution. In either case, the added polymer will
improve the stress transfer characteristics of the fibrous
network. The use of aqueous latex dispersion as a
polymeric binding agent in the fabrication of reinforced
composites has several potential advantages over solvent
dissolved solution-based polymers. The solvent-based
systems are undesirable since the solvent, in many cases,
is toxic, expensive, and must either be recovered for reuse
or discarded. The latex-based polymers for fabricating
the nonwoven reinforced composites are well reported in
the literature[1419].
Extensive research studies have been carried out on
short jute fiber[20,21] and jute fabric[22,23] reinforced compo-
sites using phenolic matrices[24], polyester, epoxy resin[25],
vinyl ester resin[26], and acrylamide-formaldehyde resin[22].
Mitra et al.[23] have reported on the fabrication of compo-
sites by impregnating the jute nonwoven fabric in

409
 410 M. N. SATHEESH KUMAR AND SIDDARAMAIAH
water-based phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin, and the
effect of pretreatment of jute nonwoven on the perform-
ance of composites have been evaluated. Premamoy Ghosh
et al.[22] have described the simultaneous free radical poly-
merization and acidic poly condensation of acrylamide-
formaldehyde resins on jute fabric. They have also studied
the effects of different degrees of removal of lignin and
hemicellulose from jute on its resin uptake behavior. In
view of substituting the jute fiber nonwoven to random
glass fiber mats, ODell[27] has studied the suitability of jute
nonwoven mat for the composite fabrication via the resin
transfer molding technique. Acrylonitrile-butadiene latex
(NBR) has good adhesion to many fibers, especially to
those that are polar in nature[28], and have excellent oil
and, abrasion resistance, and have poor ozone resistance.
Sherwood[29] discussed various polymeric latex, such as
acrylonitrele-butadine (NBR) and styrene-butadiene
(SBR), used as binders in the manufacture of nonwoven
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fabric. Although many reports are available on the appli-
cation of latex-based polymers for the nonwoven fibrous
structures to fabricate the composites[921], there is a scar-
city in the literature on the systematic investigation on the
effect of different pickup ratios of acrylonitrile-butadiene
(NBR) latex on the performance of needle-punched jute
nonwoven fabric composites. In this research article, the
authors have used the mechanically entangled jute non-
woven fabric made by the needle-punching process, and a
series of composites were fabricated with different pickup
ratios (dry-to-dry weight basis) of jute nonwoven fabric
to NBR latex. The fabricated composites have been studied
for mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and water
absorption. The effects of different relative humidities on
the equilibrium moisture uptake of the composite have
been determined.
EXPERIMENTAL
Materials
Needle-punched jute nonwoven fabric (150 g=m2) hav-
ing density of 0.1 g=cc and burst strength of 0.60 MPa
was procured from Jindal Fibers Private Ltd., India.
NBR latex having pH 78, viscosity of 15 seconds (B4
cup standard), and solid content of 40% was procured
from a local supplier. The acrylonitrile content in the
NBR latex was 30%.
Fabrication of Composites
Jute nonwoven fabric having 150 g=m2 was impregnated
in a bath containing NBR latex. The dipped fabric was
squeezed in a two-roll squeezer to adjust the different
pickup of latex to fabric. The pickup ratio of nonwoven
fabric to polymer latex was varied over a range 1:0.5 to
1:2.5. After the desired latex pickup was adjusted, the
impregnated fabric was dried in a hot air oven at 1500
C
for 20 min. The dried composites were soft and they were
calendered to improve the surface finish, then the compo-
sites were cooled to ambient temperature. It was difficult to
fabricate the composite with the pickup ratio above 1:2.5.
Techniques
The tensile strength of the composites in dry and wet
conditions were measured at 230
C and 50% RH using
4302 model Hounsfleld universal testing machine (UK).
The width of the specimens maintained was 50 mm as
described elsewhere[11]. NBR-jute composites were tested
for burst strength, stiffness, and stitch tear strength accord-
ing to ASTM D2738, BSI 3748, and IS: 5867-1970
methods, respectively.
The chemical resistance of NBR-jute composites were
studied as per the ASTM D 543-87 method with 40% nitric
acid, 8% acetic acid, 10% sodium hydroxide, 20% sodium
carbonate, 10% ammonium hydroxide, toluene, carbon
tetrachloride, and distilled water. In each case, 10 dried
and previously weighed samples were exposed under differ-
ent chemical environments for 24 h at room temperature.
After 24 h, samples were removed, washed with distilled
water, and pressed between the filter paper to remove the
surface water. The samples were then weighed and the
changes in the percentage weight were recorded.
Water absorption was determined by simple immersion
in distilled water for 2 and 24 h. Boiling water absorption
of the composites was determined by placing the samples
in boiling water for 0.5 and 2 h. This procedure would
account for aging due to humidity and thermal effects
but not photochemical effects. Specimen size used for the
test was 20  20 .
Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC)
The specimens (20  20 ) were dried in an oven at 1050
C
untill constant weight was obtained. The dried specimens
were exposed to the different RH (65%, 75%, and 94%)
at 23
 20
C until they reached equilibrium. EMC was
calculated using the following relation:
Weight at different RH  Oven dry weight
EMC 100
Oven dry weight
1
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The effect of different NBR latex pickup ratios on the
mechanical properties of the jute nonwoven fabric compo-
sites are given in Table 1. The density of the composites
increased from 0.35 to 0.71 g=cc with increase in the
NBR pickup ratio. This is due to the high density of
NBR (1.02 g=cc) compared to that of jute nonwoven fabric
(0.10 g=cc). The theoretical density of the composites
 ACRYLONITRILE-BUTADIENE LATEX-REINFORCED JUTE FABRIC 411

TABLE 1
Mechanical properties of NBR-jute nonwoven composites
Tensile Taber Burst
Density (g=cc)
Ratio F:M strength Elongation stiffness strength Stitch tear
(Wt=Wt, dry) Theo. Expt. % Dev. (MPa) at break (%) in units (MPa) strength (N)
Pure fabric 0.10 0.6 39 Nil 0.57 14
1:0.5 0.41 0.35 14.6 2.76 39 30 0.65 29
1:1.0 0.57 0.51 10.5 3.88 42 60 0.70 37
1:1.5 0.65 0.59 9.2 4.60 47 60 0.75 38
1:2.0 0.72 0.68 5.5 5.82 36 120 0.75 67
1:2.5 0.76 0.71 6.6 4.48 35 135 1.05 54

calculated by using the volume additive principle, which different NBR pickup ratios. It is observed that the specific
states that (d w1d1 w2d2), where d is the density of strength of the composites increased drastically from 3.8 to
the composite, w1 and w2 are the weight fractions of the 13.96 Nm=g, with increase in the NBR content up to a
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constituents, and d1 and d2 are the corresponding densi- pickup ratio of 1:2. The increase in the specific strength
ties, respectively. The theoretical density is higher com- of the composite would account for better stress transfer
pared to the experimental density of the composites. This between the fibers in the presence of the polymeric phase.
may be due to the presence of a micro void in the com- The reinforcement factor of the composites is the ratio of
posite. It is also observed that the percentage deviation in tensile strength of bonded fabric composites to that of
densities of the composite decreased with increasing the unbonded fabric (jute nonwoven), as shown in Figure 2.
NBR pickup ratio up to 1:2. Compared to the jute fabric, The reinforcement factor increased with increasing the
all the measured properties have increased with increase NBR pickup up to a 1:2 ratio and decreased at a 1:2.5
in the pickup ratio. The taber stiffness and burst strength ratio. A similar observation was made by Rigdahl et al.[11]
of the composites have increased drastically with increasing that the specific strength and density of the composites
the NBR pickup ratio, and the values lie in the range increased with increase in the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)
30135 units and 0.571.05 MPa. This can be attributed content and the reinforcement factor increased with
to the strong polarpolar interaction of the nitrile group increase in the polystyrene (PS) content. In both the cases,
of NBR with the hydroxyl group of jute fabric[28]. The ten- a dry-formed cellulose (bleached sulfate pulp) network was
sile strength, percentage elongation at break, and stitch used as the reinforcement. Overall, the obtained mechan-
tear strength of the composites lie in the range 2.76 ical properties of the composites show that the stress
5.82 MPa, 3547 and 2967 N, respectively. The tensile
strength and stitch tear strength increased with increase
in the NBR content up to a 1:2 ratio and decreased with
further increase in NBR pickup ratio. The percentage elon-
gation at break of the composites increased with increasing
the NBR pickup up to a 1:1.5 ratio and decreased with
further increase in NBR pickup ratio. It can be expected
that with the NBR latex pickup ratio above 1:2, the latex
merely coats the fiber and is not located at the points of
contact between the fibers[30,31]. It can also be expected that
the presence of fiber-polymer-polymer bond rather than
fiber-polymer-fiber bond in the case of composites with
the pickup ratio above 1:2 may be the reason for the
decreased tensile strength and percentage elongation at
break. The result also indicates that there is a strong inter-
facial adhesion bond between the fiber and the polymer at
a pickup ratio of 1:2.
The specific strength of the composites is the maximum
value of registered stress divided by network density.
Figure 1 shows the specific strength of the composites with FIG. 1. Specific strength of composites as a function of NBR pickup.
 412 M. N. SATHEESH KUMAR AND SIDDARAMAIAH

FIG. 3. Percentage water absorption of NBR-jute nonwoven compo-

FIG. 2. Reinforcement factor of NBR-jute nonwoven fabric compo-
sites at room temperature for 2 and 24 h.
sites.
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transfer characteristics of jute nonwoven fibrous structures
have increased with increasing the NBR pickup ratio.
Chemical resistivities of NBR-jute fabric composites are
calculated by measuring the percentage weight loss or gain
with various chemical reagents, as given in Table 2. With
increasing NBR pickup, composites showed increased
chemical resistance in all the chemical reagents except
toluene and carbon tetrachloride. A drastic increase in
chemical resistance in all chemicals was noticed in the com-
posite fabricated with an NBR pickup ratio above 1:2
compared to other composite. In the case of toluene and
carbon tetrachloride, despite the poor chemical resistance
in the matrix itself, the increased NBR pickup ratio has
not reduced the chemical resistance significantly as com-
pared to pure NBR film. This can be expected, since pure
NBR film absorbs very easily these solvents, whereas in
the case of reinforced composites, the fiber part in it will
reduce the more solvent absorption as compared to pure
NBR. This observation clearly indicates that the chemical
resistance of the composites has increased with increasing
NBR pickup in the composites.
Water absorption of the composites was determined by
immersing the samples in water at room temperature for 2
and 24 h, and the results are shown in Figure 3. The water
absorption behaviors of composite specimens have been
carried out in boiling water for 0.5 and 2 h, and the data
obtained are shown in Figure 4. It is evident from these fig-
ures that with increase in the pickup ratio of NBR, the
composites showed decreased water absorption at both
room temperature and boiling water. The water absorption
of the composites was measured at different intervals of
time (Fig. 5) and the water absorption of the composites
was decreased with increasing pickup ratio of NBR. A
similar trend was noticed with respect to the equilibrium
moisture content (EMC) of the composites at different
relative humidities (Fig. 6). It is observed that the EMC
of the composites are almost the same at 65% and 75%
RH, but high EMC values at 95% RH. This may be due

TABLE 2
Chemical resistivity of NBR-jute nonwoven composite
Percent change in weight after immersing for 24 h at room temperature
Chemical reagents
Ratio F:M 40% 10% 8% 10% 20% 25% Distilled
(Wt=Wt, dry) HNO3 HCl CH3COOH NaOH Na2CO3 NH4OH Toluene CCl4 water
Pure NBR film 24 3 17 3 3 10 203 126 10
1:0.5 204 115 148 104 124 97 100 123 170
1:1.0 192 115 128 118 133 98 122 132 140
1:1.5 190 89 124 82 81 84 141 143 94
1:2.0 128 43 78 48 45 55 141 124 58
1:2.5 89 33 68 44 35 44 151 133 48
 ACRYLONITRILE-BUTADIENE LATEX-REINFORCED JUTE FABRIC
FIG. 4. Percentage water absorption of NBR-jute nonwoven compo-
sites in boiling water for 0.5 and 2 h.
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FIG. 5. Rate of water absorption of NBR-jute nonwoven composites at
room temperature.
FIG. 6. Effect of NBR pickup ratio on the percentage moisture uptake
of NBR-jute nonwoven fabric composites.
413
FIG. 7. Percentage loss of tensile strength after 6 h immersion of NBR-
jute composites in water at room temperature.
FIG. 8. Percentage compressibility and recovery of NBR-jute non-
woven fabric composites.
to the fact that, with increasing pickup ratio of NBR, the
hygroscopic nature of jute fabric drastically decreases.
The effect of NBR pickup ratio on percentage retention
of tensile strength after 6 h immersion in distilled water is
shown in Figure 7. This figure reveals that with increase
in the NBR pickup ratio, the percentage retention of tensile
strength after aging in water has increased. This may be
due to the high water resistance nature of NBR (Table 2).
Figure 8 shows the percentage compressibility and per-
centage recovery of NBR-jute composites with different
NBR pickup ratios. From the figure it can be observed that
with increasing pickup ratio of jute nonwoven fabric to
NBR latex from 1:0.5 to 1:2.5, the compressibility has
reduced from 47.6% to 35.9% (24.7% reduction), whereas
the percentage recovery has increased from 17.8% to 36%
(102% increase). At a pickup ratio of 1:2.5, the observed
percentage compressibility and recovery are the same. An
inverse relationship was noticed between percentage
recovery and percentage compressibility. The reduced
compressibility with increased recovery of composites is a
 414 M. N. SATHEESH KUMAR AND SIDDARAMAIAH
characteristic property in selecting the suitable composite
material for cushioning=seating applications.
CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, composites were fabricated by
impregnating the jute nonwoven fabric in acrylonitrile-
butadiene (NBR) latex. The density, taber stiffness, and
burst strength of the composites were increased with
increase in the NBR pickup ratio. The specific strength,
stitch tear strength, and reinforcement factor of the compo-
sites increased with increase in the pickup ratio up to 1:2.
Maximum percentage elongation was observed for a
pickup ratio of 1:1.5. The percentage water absorption
(at room temperature and boiling condition) and moisture
uptake at different relative humidities of the composites
drastically reduced with increase in the pickup ratio of
NBR. With increase in pickup ratio, the percentage com-
pressibility was reduced with increase in the percentage
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recovery. The increased NBR pickup ratios enhanced the
percentage retention in tensile strength of the composites.
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