Preparation and characterization of sodium silicate–treated jute-cotton blended polymer–reinforced UPR-based composite: effect of γ-radiation

Abstrac Jute-cotton (natural polymer) blended fabric–reinforced unsaturated polyester resin–based composites were prepared by hand lay-up technique. Different percentages (1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 4%) of sodium silicate were applied to the fabrics for property improvement. The highest values of mechanical properties were obtained at 2% sodium silicate treated composites. Tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), and impact strength (IS) were increased by 48%, 10%, and 20%, respectively, relative to untreated composites. But, elongation at break decreased by 40% compared to the untreated composites. Composites were irradiated by various gamma radiation doses (2.5 KGy, 5.0 KGy, and 7.5 KGy) and at 5.0 KGy obtained the best results. The highest TS (85% increment), TM (15% increment), and IS (37% increment) were at 5.0 KGy gamma dose and 2% sodium silicate–treated composite relative to non-irradiated and untreated composites. Characterization of the prepared composites was performed by mechanical properties, FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal analysis (TGA). Graphical abstract Jute-cotton fabrics improve properties in UPR-based composite, but 5-KGy gamma radiation and 2% sodium silicate shows the highest value