Evaluation of Jute-Glass Ratio Effects on the Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties of PP Hybrid Composites for Sustainable Automotive Applications

Abstract

This study investigates polypropylene (PP)-based biocomposites reinforced with systematically varied jute and glass fiber ratios as sustainable, lightweight alternatives for semi-structural automotive parts. Four formulations (J20/G0, J15/G5, J10/G10, J5/G15) with a constant 20 wt% total fiber were produced by injection molding and characterized through mechanical, thermal, and morphological analyses. Tensile, flexural, and Charpy impact tests showed progressive improvements in strength, stiffness, and energy absorption with increasing glass fiber content, while ductility was maintained or slightly enhanced. SEM revealed a transition from fiber pull-out in jute-rich systems to fiber rupture and stronger matrix adhesion in glass-rich hybrids. Thermal analyses confirmed the benefits of hybridization: heat deflection temperature increased from 75 degrees C (J20/G0) to 103 degrees C (J5/G15), and thermogravimetry indicated improved stability and higher char residue. DSC showed negligible changes in crystallization and melting, confirming that fiber partitioning does not significantly affect PP crystallinity. Benchmarking demonstrated mechanical and thermal performance comparable to acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA), widely used in automotive components. Finally, successful molding of a prototype exterior mirror cap from J20/G0 validated industrial processability. These findings highlight jute-glass hybrid PP composites as promising, sustainable alternatives to conventional engineering plastics for automotive engineering applications.