| Structural Composites |
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Composite materials are increasingly replacing
metals and wood (which make the structures heavy and expensive). Composites reinforced
with jute are expected to take the place of wood especially, in building applications in
South and Southeast Asia, in future. |
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The potential for jute-reinforced plastics have
been explored and has been found suitable due to the following properties of jute: |
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High Strength |
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Very low extensibility |
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High modulus |
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Low cost |
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| Jute in the form of
fibre, sliver, twine, non-woven fabric is mixed with a binder system (which could be bio
resins (CNSL), epoxy resins, polyesters or polypropylene) to form the composites for
various uses as listed below: |
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Building
Material |
: |
false ceiling, panel, partitions, doors and windows, |
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furniture and pre-fabricated shelters. |
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Automobile
Components |
: |
auto trims, interiors, dashboard panels, panels for railways |
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coaches etc. |
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Engineering
Components |
: |
brake liners, moulding materials etc. |
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Other
Applications |
: |
packing boxes, sign boards, letter boxes etc. |
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| Jute also has
reportedly been used in fibre reinforced concrete and roofing tiles, bituminous run way
covering etc. |
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