IMPROVEMENT OF JUTE FIBER THROUGH ULTRAVIOLET-CURED FILMS OF URETHANE ACRYLATE

Formulations were developed with urethane acrylate in combination with different monomers. The role of plasticizers used as coadditives in the formulations was investigated. Physical and mechanical properties of the UV-cured films were studied. Hessian cloths made with jute fibers were coated with these formulated solutions and cured under UV radiation. Though plasticizers decrease the tensile properties of the UV-cured films, but they substantially enhance both tensile strength by 80% and elongation of the coated hessian cloths by more than 300%. Uptake of water and moisture at different relative humidity conditions decreases significantly by the hessian cloths when coated with these formulations. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.