Abstract
New technologies in the automotive industry require lightweight, environment-friendly, and mechanically strong materials. Bast fibers such as kenaf, flax, and hemp reinforced polymers are frequently used composites in semi-structural applications in industry. However, the low mechanical properties of bast fibers limit the applications of these composites in structural applications. The work presented here aims to enhance the mechanical property profile of bast fiber reinforced acrylic-based polyester resin composites by hybridization with basalt fibers. The hybridization was studied in three resin forms, solution, dispersion, and a mixture of solution and dispersion resin forms. The composites were prepared by established processing methods such as carding, resin impregnation, and compression molding. The composites were characterized for their mechanical (tensile, flexural, and Charpy impact strength), thermal, and morphological properties. The mechanical performance of hybrid bast/basalt fiber composites was significantly improved compared to their respective bast fiber composites. For hybrid composites, the specific flexural modulus and strength were on an average about 21 and 19% higher, specific tensile modulus and strength about 31 and 16% higher, respectively, and the specific impact energy was 13% higher than bast fiber reinforced composites. The statistical significance of the results was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance.
Highlights
Accepted: 30 March 2021New and functional materials with high mechanical performance, dimensional stability, and lightweight are the demands of the modern automotive industry [1,2,3]
This research work aims to study the enhancement of the mechanical properties of bast fiber reinforced acrylic resin (Acrodur) composites by hybridization with basalt fibers
The uncured resins and their composites were analyzed by TGA and Differential scanning scanning calorimetry calorimetry (DSC) to understand the processing parameters and thermal stability of the materials
Summary
Accepted: 30 March 2021New and functional materials with high mechanical performance, dimensional stability, and lightweight are the demands of the modern automotive industry [1,2,3]. The most successful reinforcements in the industry are glass fibers; yet their use is criticized because of the issues such as high weight Because of their excellent specific mechanical properties, low density (1.2–1.5 g/cm3 ), renewability, CO2 neutrality, good life cycle assessment characteristics, and widespread availability [10,11]. Some of them have modulus close to the glass fibers but have much lower strength. They have good specific mechanical properties because of their low density that makes them a preferable alternative to the glass fibers in applications where the demands are stiffness and lightweight [12]
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