Mechanical testing of natural fibre reinforced polyester resin composites and Mode 1 fracture toughness testing of resin blocks

Opukuro S. David-West, Mark C. Symington, Richard A. Pethrick, William M. Banks, J.L. Thomason

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Abstract

Recent European Parliament directive requires companies to achieve materials recycling greater than 80% in particular in the automotive sector [1]. The research on natural fibre based composite materials fits well into this ecological image. The advantages of natural fibres over synthetic materials include, low density, relative cheapness, availability and biodegradability. In this paper we explore the fabrication and mechanical testing of natural fibre composites and this is part of an on going study at Strathclyde University and describes the fabrication of composites using natural fibre and styrene polyester resin. The properties of the synthetic resin can be varied by changing the catalysts concentration and flexural (three point bending) and single-edged notched bending (SENB) properties are reported at different concentrations of the catalyst.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages2
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jun 2008
Event13th European Conference on Composite Materials (EECM 13) - Stockholm, Sweden
Duration: 2 Jun 20085 Jun 2008

Conference

Conference13th European Conference on Composite Materials (EECM 13)
CityStockholm, Sweden
Period2/06/085/06/08

Keywords

  • tensile testing
  • fracture toughness
  • green composites

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