TITLE:
Processability of Biobased Thermoset Resins and Flax Fibres Reinforcements Using Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding
AUTHORS:
J. Schuster, Q. Govignon, S. Bickerton
KEYWORDS:
Biocomposites; Rheological Properties; Mechanical Properties; Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM)
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Composite Materials,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
7,
2014
ABSTRACT: Biocomposite
panels consisting of biobased thermoset resins (EP, PU, UP, and tannin) and
flax fibre reinforcements were produced using the vacuum assisted resin
transfer moulding process. Panels based on a conventional chemical-based resin
matrix were also produced, and investigated comparatively.
Rheometric analyses were performed to evaluate the suitability of these resins for liquid composite moulding. Tensile,
shear, and impactbending tests have been carried out to assess the quality and
mechanical performance of manufactured laminates. The impregnation quality was
assessed by means of ultrasonic-C-scanning and microscopy. It turned out that
the properties of the biobased composite panels made of biobased epoxy resin
and a biobased UP-resin from the company Nuplex in New Zealand were onlay
slightly inferior to those produced with a conventional epoxy resin. A biobased
PU-resin from the company USSC in the USA developed voids during curing. A tannin-based resin containing of formaldehyde was not processable.