The mechanical properties of the biobased fiber and resins have been characterized and moisture influence on the behavior of these materials has been studied. Commercially available biobased thermoset resins (Tribest, EpoBioX, Palapreg, Envirez SA, and Envirez SB) and regenerated cellulose fibers (Cordenka) have been conditioned at different levels of relative humidity (as received, dried, 41, 70, and 90%) to obtain materials with different moisture content. The following properties of polymers were measured: tensile, flexural (3P‐bending), impact strength (unnotched Charpy), and fracture toughness (compact tension). The results of characterization of biobased thermosets were compared against data for epoxy Araldite LY556, which is used as reference resin. RCF bundles (with and without twist, extracted from fabric) as well as single fibers separated from these bundles were tested in tension. In general biobased resins performed well, moreover EpoBioX showed better properties than synthetic epoxy. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1150–1159, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

The durability of entirely bio‐based composites with respect to the exposure to elevated humidity was evaluated. Different combinations of bio‐based resins (Tribest, EpoBioX, Envirez) and cellulosic fibers (flax and regenerated cellulose fiber rovings and fabrics) were used to manufacture unidirectional and cross‐ply composite laminates. Water absorption experiments were performed at various humidity levels (41%, 70%, and 98%) to measure apparent diffusion coefficient and moisture content at saturation. Effect of chemical treatment (alkali and silane) of fibers as protection against moisture was also studied. However, fiber treatment did not show any significant improvement and in some cases the performance of the composites with treated fibers was lower than those with untreated reinforcement. The comparison of results for neat resins and composites showed that moisture uptake in the studied composites is primarily due to cellulosic reinforcement. Tensile properties of composites as received (RH = 24%) and conditioned (RH = 41%, 70%, and 98%) were measured in order to estimate the influence of humidity on behavior of these materials. Results were compared with data for glass fiber reinforced composite, as a reference material. Previous results from study of unreinforced polymers showed that resins were resistant to moisture uptake. Knowing that moisture sorption is primarily dominated by natural fibers, the results showed that some of the composites with bio‐based resins performed very well and have comparable properties with composites of synthetic epoxy, even at elevated humidity. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1510–1519, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers