Green composites: sustainability and mechanical performance

Abstract

This study considers the mechanical properties of a range of thermosetting resin systems, including systems with bioderived content, and associated natural fibre composites. The bioderived resin systems (22 and 40% biocontent) demonstrated similar tensile strength to standard resin systems, indicating their potential to be a substitute for such systems. To optimise the performance of the natural fibre composites, the reinforcement needed to be dried before composite processing. The stiffness and strength of the natural fibre systems improved with degree of alignment, as expected, and with the use of a semiprocessed fibre; in this way, the properties approached those of chopped strand mat E-glass composites. Even the natural fibre composite with the lowest tensile performance still demonstrated a fracture toughness that was halfway in between the E-glass composite and the resin system.

Keywords:

• Natural fibres
• Mechanical properties

This research was cofunded by the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and Scott Bader Company Ltd (Project: ‘Development of Sustainable and Enhanced Composites’).