Low-cost manufacturing and recycling of advanced biocomposites

ABSTRACT

In this paper, the capabilities of Specialized Elastomeric Tooling for Resin Infusion, a low-cost and low-energy autoclaving alternative for consolidating and curing resin-infused thermoset composite parts, are expanded to biobased composites. Specifically, multiple flat laminate parts (10-ply stack of woven cellulose fiber with a high bio-content, recyclable epoxy resin matrix) are infused with bioresin, consolidated between a temperature-controlled rigid tool and matching rubber-faced tool specially engineered to provide uniform pressure under load, and then thermally cured in place. As expected, parts made using this process are thinner, have higher stiffness and strength, and have fewer surface voids as consolidation pressure is increased. Experimental results reported include resin infusion observations, part thickness, surface roughness, microscopy, tensile strength/modulus, and flexural strength/modulus. Following consolidation and curing, the recyclability of the cellulose textile is assessed by dissolving the commercially available bioresin in a dilute acetic acid bath to create a recyclable thermoplastic.

摘要

在本文中，专业橡胶模具树脂灌注的能力（上海电动工具研究所），一个低成本、低高压灭菌替代巩固和固化树脂浸渍热固性复合材料部件，扩展到生物基复合材料。具体而言，多平层部分（10层堆栈具有高生物量、可回收环氧树脂基体纺纤维素纤维）注入的生物树脂，温度控制的刚性工具及配套工具专门设计面临的负载下提供均匀压力橡胶之间的合并，然后热固化到位。正如预期的那样，使用这种方法制造的零件更薄，具有更高的刚度和强度，并且随着固结压力的增加，表面空隙减少。实验结果包括树脂灌注观察，部分厚度，表面粗糙度，显微镜，拉伸强度/模量，弯曲强度/模量。以下整理和固化，对纤维素纺织品的回收利用是将市售的生物树脂在稀醋酸液来创建一个可回收的热塑性评估。

KEYWORDS:

• Cellulose Fiber
• Biocomposites
• Bioresin
• Composites Manufacturing

关键词:

• 纤维素纤维
• 生物复合材料
• 生物树脂
• 复合材料制造

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge several organizations for their support of this research work including the National Science Foundation (NSF): [Grant Number CMMI-1200847] and Vistex Composites, LLC (Rotterdam, NY, USA) through a New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) grant.

Notes

^1. Cycle time was chosen to ensure complete wet-out but could easily be reduced with process optimization.