The increasing consideration of natural fibres as potentially sustainable reinforcements in Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites needs to address several challenges to increase market readiness, one of them being composite manufacturing [1-3]. Due to the commercial applications of NFRPs in predominantly small-sized with medium to high component complexity, high-volume, non-structural components (e.g. decking for construction industry, and interior panels for automotive industry), liquid composite moulding are suitable manufacturing technologies [4]. Especially, resin transfer moulding (RTM) and vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) are widely used methods that has been reported to produce natural fibre composites with reasonable mechanical properties.

In this present study, two different textiles, namely hemp in plain weave and flax fibres in 4x4 twill weave are used as the reinforcements together with a partially bio-based epoxy matrix to manufacture NFRP plates using two different LCM processes RTM and VARI. The materials and processes are compared in regards to density, mechanical properties of the plates are examined by tensile tests and their thermal properties that is examined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). In conclusion, it is visible that the RTM offers better impregnation with greater fibre volume fraction over VARI. Nevertheless, the flax NFRP from RTM process exhibits favorable material properties and suitable for a wider range of application.

Reference

1. Pickering, K., Ed. (2008). Properties and performance of natural-fibre composites. Boca Raton, CRC Press LLC.

2. Faruk, O., Bledzki AK, Fink HP, Sain M (2012). "Biocomposites reinforced with natural fibres: 2000-2010." Progress in Polymer Science 37(11): 1552-1596.

3. Ho, M., Wang H, Lee J, Hoc C, Lau K, Leng J, Hui D (2012). "Critical factors on manufacturing processes of natural fibre composites." Composites Part B: Engineering 43(8): 3549-3562.

4. Various contributors, edited by Caroline Bailey. Green Composites. Polymer Composites and the Environment. CRC & Woodhead Publishing Limited, ISBN 1 85573739 62. (2004)