Processability of Biobased Thermoset Resins and Flax Fibres Reinforcements Using Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding

Abstract

Biocomposite\rpanels consisting of biobased thermoset resins (EP, PU, UP, and tannin) and\rflax fibre reinforcements were produced using the vacuum assisted resin\rtransfer moulding process. Panels based on a conventional chemical-based resin\rmatrix were also produced, and investigated comparatively.\rRheometric analyses were performed to evaluate the suitability of these resins for liquid composite moulding. Tensile,\rshear, and impactbending tests have been carried out to assess the quality and\rmechanical performance of manufactured laminates. The impregnation quality was\rassessed by means of ultrasonic-C-scanning and microscopy. It turned out that\rthe properties of the biobased composite panels made of biobased epoxy resin\rand a biobased UP-resin from the company Nuplex in New Zealand were onlay\rslightly inferior to those produced with a conventional epoxy resin. A biobased\rPU-resin from the company USSC in the USA developed voids during curing. A tannin-based resin containing of formaldehyde was not processable.