Fabrication of High-Performance, High-Filler-Content Bamboo Fiber/Epoxy Resin Sustainable Composites via Aqueous-Phase Processing

Abstract

Bamboo fiber (BF) reinforced epoxy resin (EP) composites suffer from poor interfacial compatibility and uneven dispersion at high filler levels, restricting the further improvement of the mechanical properties of BF/EP composites. This study proposes a green and novel process for preparing composites based on an aqueous system, which enables effective dispersion of BF at high filler content and uniform integration with EP. BF is simply mixed with waterborne epoxy resin (WEP), and a hot-pressing molding process is used to prepare composite materials with high BF filler. The effects of fiber contents and resin types on the properties of the composites are investigated. At 80 wt% BF, the mechanical properties of the composite are optimized, with flexural strength and tensile strength of 124 and 53 MPa, respectively. This research provides a viable solution for the green and low-cost preparation of high-fiber-content composites, which shows great potential application in the fields of construction, automotive interiors, and sports equipment.