Two chemical treatments were applied to jute fibers to create a better bonding of fiber to resin in natural composite materials. The jute fibers have been treated with hydroxide potassium (KOH) and a bleaching agent, canxi hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)), in varying periods. Characterization techniques such as FT-IR, SEM were used to evaluate the effect of chemical treatments on fiber structure. After treatment the surface topography of jute was clean and microfibrils were revealed, these lead to an enhancement in mechanical properties and interfacial strength between jute fiber and PP.
