Pultruded carbon fibre reinforced polymer strips produced with a novel bio-based thermoset polyester for structural strengthening. (22nd March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hofmann, Mateus; Machado, Marina; Shahid, Abu; Dourado, Filipe; Garrido, Mário; Bordado, João C.; Correia, João R.
• Is Part Of: Composites science and technology. Volume 234(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03-22
• Subjects: Bio composite -- Structural composites -- Mechanical properties -- Thermomechanical properties -- Pultrusion; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Fibrous composites; Periodicals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2023.109936
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-3538

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents the development and industrial manufacturing of a pultruded high-performance carbon fibre (CF) reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite strip using a bio-based unsaturated polyester (UP) resin containing more than 50% of its weight derived from renewable raw materials. The bio-based CF/UP strengthening strip, comprising unidirectional CF strands, was successfully produced and its mechanical and thermomechanical behaviours were assessed, and compared to an equivalent carbon fibre reinforced epoxy-vinyl ester (CF/VE) strip produced with conventional petroleum-based high-performance epoxy-vinyl ester resin and the same fibre architecture. The bio-based CF/UP composite strip presented 2095 MPa, 167 GPa, and 1.4% of tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and strain at failure, respectively. These figures met or exceeded the mechanical properties of its equivalent conventional CF/VE counterpart tested under the same conditions. Furthermore, the bio-based CF/UP composite strip presented a glass transition temperature of 78 °C (defined from the onset of the storage modulus decay), enabling a maximum service temperature of ∼60 °C, which will not likely be exceeded in most climates, highlighting its potential for structural strengthening applications, and offering a key advantage in terms of sustainability. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: More sustainable and less petroleum-dependent CFRP composites Pultruded CFRP manufactured with high-performance bio-based thermoset polyester Mechanical properties meet or exceed those of conventional CFRP counterpart Thermomechanical properties suitable for strengthening structural applications