Characterization of grafted jute fiber by optical and scanning electron microscopy

Raw and partially delignified jute fibers were grafted with acrylonitrile and methyl meth‐acrylate monomers, using the redox system of initiation with ceric ammonium sulfate. Grafting was also carried out in a mixed monomer system with acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate monomers in different proportions. The optimum grafting condition depends on the duration of grafting treatment and proportion of grafting monomers. The monomers entered the fiber matrix with high add‐on and, at still higher graft add‐ons, the ultimate fibers suffered disintegration. The surfaces were increasingly covered with grafted materials and longitudinal cracks developed on the fiber surface with higher add‐on.