Manufacturing and Mechanical Properties of Soy-Based Composites Using Pultrusion

Abstract

Two primary cost driving factors for the composites industry are raw materials and labor. Inexpensive alternative epoxy resin systems based on epoxidized soyate resins are developed for fiber reinforced composite applications. This research investigated on the manufacturing and mechanical characterization of fiber/epoxy composites using chemically modified soy-based epoxy resins. Co-resin systems with up to 30 wt% soyate resins were used to manufacture composites through pultrusion. Mechanical tests show that the pultruded composites with soy based co-resin systems possess comparable or improved structural performance characteristics such as flexural strength, modulus, and impact resistance. Maximum mechanical properties enhancement is demonstrated by the enhanced epoxidized allyl soyate (EAS) formulation. Further property improvement is obtained through using a two-step prepolymer process. The EAS holds great potential as partial supplement for polymer and composites applications from renewable resources.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Second Department

Chemistry

Sponsor(s)

Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council
United States. Department of Agriculture

Keywords and Phrases

Mechanical Properties; Resins; Glass fibers; Pultrusion

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1359-835X

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2003 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2003

Link to Full Text

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