Effects of adding activated carbon particles (AC) on the mechanical properties of the bulk polyester
and jute fibers/polyester composites were investigated. Four loading ratios ofAC particles (1, 3, 5, and
10 wt%) were used to fill the polyester matrix. Jute fibers were treated inNaOHsolution to improve
their adhesion with the polyester matrix. Tensile, flexural and impact tests were conducted to
specimens prepared from bulk polyester, AC-filled polyester, and jute fibers/polyester with and
without ACfiller. The results showed that tensile strength, flexural strength, and strain-to-failure of
the polyester and jute/polyester specimens decreased as the ACparticles loading was increased.
However, tensile and flexural moduli increased with increasing theAC filler loading up to 3 wt% and
then started to decrease after reaching their maximum values. The impact strength of the bulk
polyester decreased as the ACloading was increased. However, incorporation of 3 wt% ofAC into the
jute/polyester composite increased its impact strength from?4.3 to?6.4 kJm?2. The key conclusion
suggests that adding ofAC particle into jute fibers/polyester composites can improve their stiffness;
meanwhile, their strength and ductility have been sacrificed.