Mechanical Property Characterization of Aligned Plant Yarn Reinforced Thermoset Matrix Composites Manufactured via Vacuum Infusion

Shah, Darshil U.; Schubel, Peter J.; Clifford, Mike J.; Licence, Peter

Abstract

This article evaluates the mechanical properties of vacuum-infused unidirectional plant fiber composites (PFRPs), composing of bast fiber yarns and thermoset matrices. PFRPs are found to have lower fiber volume fractions than E-glass composites (GFRPs). Apart from the expected (30-40%) lower density of PFRPs, they have 60-80% lower tensile strength, 30-60% lower tensile stiffness, 5-10 times lower impact strength, and 20-30% lower interlaminar shear strength than GFRPs. Importantly, critical fiber lengths are of the same order (0.2-0.5 mm). Composites reinforced with flax rovings exhibit exceptional fiber tensile modulus of 65-75 GPa and fiber tensile strength of about 800 MPa. © 2014 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 15, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Jan 31, 2014
• Publication Date: Feb 14, 2014
• Deposit Date: Sep 7, 2018
• Journal: Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering
• Print ISSN: 0360-2559
• Electronic ISSN: 1525-6111
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Open
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 53
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 239-253
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03602559.2013.843710
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1102502
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03602559.2013.843710
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=lpte20