TITLE:
Mechanical Properties of Bio-Based Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Hybrid-Interlayer Ramie and Recycled Carbon Fibres
AUTHORS:
Chenkai Zhu, Saihua Li, Xiaoye Cong, Xiaoling Liu
KEYWORDS:
Recycled Carbon Fibres, Ramie Fibres, Bio-Based Epoxy, Hybrid Interlayer, Mechanical Properties
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Composite Materials,
Vol.10 No.4,
August
25,
2020
ABSTRACT: The growing environmental concerns have led to
attention on bio-based composite materials, such as the natural fibres,
recycled carbon fibres and bio-based resins. Herein, the bio-based epoxy
composites were reinforced with ramie fibre (RF) and recycled carbon fibre
(rCF) via inter-layer hybridisation. The dynamic mechanical analysis, tensile,
flexural and impact properties characterisation were conducted to analyse the
mechanical behaviour of the specimens. Also, the morphology of fractured
surface after mechanical tests was studied under a scanning electron
microscope. When the volume ratio between RF and rCF was varied from 100/0 to
0/100, the flexural and tensile strength of composites was significantly
increased, while the impact strength was reduced. Thus the maximum values of
flexural strength (182 MPa) and tensile strength (165 MPa) were observed for
rCF reinforced composite, whilst impact strength of 24 kJ/m2 was
found for RF reinforced composite. Furthermore, the values of storage and loss
modulus were increased with the rCF incorporation due to a greater degree of
restriction with the addition of rCF into the matrix. The hybridisation was
able to combine the specific properties of RF and rCF and optimise the
mechanical performance of composites. Therefore, the alternative low-cost green
composites are prepared which can replace synthetic materials for
semi-structural applications.