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Characterization of biobased epoxy resins to manufacture eco‐composites showing recycling properties
Author(s) -
Saitta Lorena,
Prasad Vishnu,
Tosto Claudio,
Murphy Neal,
Ivankovic Alojz,
Cicala Gianluca,
Scarselli Gennaro
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.27095
Subject(s) - materials science , epoxy , composite material , curing (chemistry) , composite number , flexural strength , glass transition , dynamic mechanical analysis , flexural modulus , polymer
The present study details the composite fabrication, characterization, and full recyclability of the biobased polymer resins with flax fiber as the reinforcement. Two different biobased resins are selected by varying the resin hardener combination and curing parameters for the comparison. The optimum parameters for the composite preparation are finalized by evaluating the neat resin's mechanical and glass transition temperature ( T g ) values. According to the results obtained, a biobased epoxy resin cured by a cleavable hardener displayed the highest T g (i.e., 93.5°C) upon a two‐step cure cycle, guaranteeing full recyclability. Subsequently, eco‐composite flat panels are manufactured using the selected formulation reinforced with commercial flax‐based fabric. These panel's flexural strength, modulus, and interlaminar shear strength are measured after each curing step. The recyclability yield of the composite is tested, through a specific chemical process, demonstrating the possibility of separating and recovering both the constituent fibers and resin from the composite panels.