02225nas a2200241   4500008004100000022001400041245013900055210006900194260006900263300001200332490000700344520129300351653003701644653001501681653003901696653001601735653002601751653003701777100001401814700001401828700001601842856012501858       2005                        eng d  a0254-058400aDegradability of composites, prepared from ethylene-propylene copolymer and jute fiber under accelerated aging and biotic environments0 aDegradability of composites prepared from ethylenepropylene copo  aPO BOX 564, 1001 LAUSANNE, SWITZERLANDbELSEVIER SCIENCE SAcAUG  a458-4690 v923 a<p>The utilization of natural fiber as reinforcement for the thermoplastic composites is growing not only for ecological concern but also for wide range of applications. In the present article, three types of composites were prepared by melt mixing of ethyl ene-propylene (EP) copolymer and (i) 3% NaOH treated jute fiber, (ii) 17.5% NaOH treated jute fiber and (iii) commercial microcrystalline cellulose powder using maleated EP copolymer as compatibilizer. The obtained composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and microscopic measurements. The durability of the composites was evaluated under polychromatic irradiation (λ &amp;GE; 290 nm) and composting condition for different time intervals. It was found that the treatments on the natural fiber have influenced the service life of the end product. Composites made from microcrystalline cellulose showed better mechanical properties as well as photo-resistance. The specimen containing 3% NaOH treated fiber exhibited relatively lowest photo-resistance and biosusceptibility. It was found that the composites were less durable under both abiotic and biotic conditions in comparison of the neat polymer matrix. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</p>10aaccelerated aging and composting10acomposites10aethylene-propylene (EP) copolymers10ajute fibers10amechanical properties10amicrocystalline cellulose powder1 aKumar, AP1 aSingh, RP1 aSarwade, BD  uhttps://library.ncl.res.in/content/degradability-composites-prepared-ethylene-propylene-copolymer-and-jute-fiber-under-0