<p>Bio-based Nanocomposites: An Alternative to Traditional Composites</p>

Abstract

Polymer matrix composites (PMC), often referred to as fiber reinforced plastics (FRP), consist of fiber reinforcement (E-glass, S2glass, aramid, carbon, or natural fibers) and polymer matrix/resin (polyester, vinyl ester, polyurethane, phenolic, and epoxies). Eglass/polyester and E-glass/vinyl ester composites are extensively used in the marine, sports, transportation, military, and construction industries. These industries primarily use low-cost open molding processes, such as manual/spray lay-up. Polyester and vinyl ester resin systems produce styrene emissions. Because of the stringent EPA regulations on styrene emissions, composite manufacturers are interested in using low-cost closed molding processes, such as vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) and styrene-free resin systems such as non-foam and full-density polyurethanes (PUR). Polyurethanes are polymers created by addition of polyisocyanates and polyols. The polyol component in polyurerhane can be produced from soybean oil. This study demonstrates that with the proper addition of nanoparticles, mechanical properties of soy-based polyurethane can be enhanced. These nanomodified soy-based polyurethane/glass composites manufactured by using the low-cost VARTM process provide alternatives to traditional glass/polyester and glass/vinyl ester composites. These composites will be more environmental friendly for two reasons: (a) Polyurethane does not produce styrene emission, thereby, resulting in a safer work place and (b) Polyol is made from a renewable resource (soybean oil).

Influence of epoxidized linseed oil and sisal fibers on structure–property relationship of epoxy biocomposite

“…In this work, a systematic study has been performed in which the influence of ELO bio‐resin and SFs on mechanical, thermomechanical and morphological properties of the unmodified and ELO bio‐resin modified epoxy composites has been investigated, and presented. Hand lay‐up technique is used here to fabricate biocomposites as the viscosity of epoxy/ELO blend is relatively high for vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process and the required viscosity of resin should be in the range of 100–1,000 cP applicable for VARTM in order to flow throughout the fabric . The objective of the work is to develop a high strength composite with a significant amount of bio‐sourced materials (bio‐resin ∼18 wt%, bio‐renewable curing agent ∼28% and reinforcing natural fiber ∼23 wt%) for structural and automotive application.…”

New nanocomposites based on poly(benzoxazine-co-epoxy) matrix reinforced by novel graphene single and mixed blend fillers

“…There is a need for further lightweighting of transport vehicles for aerospace, automotive, construction and military aiming energy saving and net zero emissions. Polymer-matrix nanocomposites are a class of materials, including thermoplastics [1][2][3][4][5][6] and thermosets, researched and developed for aerospace and ballistic applications [7][8][9][10][11] construction and structural applications [12][13][14] and successfully used to replace heavier metal components. [15][16][17][18][19][20] In these systems, the polymer matrix (a thermoplastic or a thermoset) is combined with one or more reinforcing agents.…”

Renewable Approach To Synthesize Highly Toughened Bioepoxy from Castor Oil Derivative–Epoxy Methyl Ricinoleate and Cured with Biorenewable Phenalkamine

“…Çayli et al synthesized less viscous epoxidized methacrylated castor oil (EMETCO) monomer and copolymerized it with styrene (ST) from EMETCO-ST copolymer with improved thermophysical properties . The reduction of viscosity and Newtonian flow behavior of resins are important to ensure better processability for compression molding, injection, resin transfer molding, pultrusion, and so on and also help us to meet the end-use property of the material . Modifications like transesterification, methoxylation, maleation, and so on strongly reduce the viscosity and enhance the reactivity of epoxidized oil to enable ease of copolymerization with base polymer. ,,,, Wang and Schuman prepared glicidyl esters of epoxidized fatty acids (EGSs) with larger internal epoxy content through transesterification and epoxidation reactions, which showed improved properties compared with ESO when copolymerized with DGEBA .…”