Manufacturing and Characterization of Hybrid Composites with Basalt and Flax Fabrics and a Partially Bio-based Epoxy Resin

Abstract

This research is focused on manufacturing and characterization of hybrid composite laminates obtained different stacking sequences of basalt and flax fabrics with silane treatments embedded in a partially bio-sourced epoxy resin as matrix. They were manufactured by the vacuum-assisted resin infusion molding and mechanical properties were tested in tensile, flexural and impact conditions. The effect of the coupling agent on the fiber/matrix interface was studied by FESEM. The effect of temperature on mechanical properties was evaluated by DMTA and TMA. FESEM images revealed improved fiber/matrix interactions with silane treatment, having a more satisfactory effect on basalt fibers than on flax fibers because of its silica-based structure, leading to improved mechanical properties. It is worthy to note that the hybrid stacking sequence has no remarkable influence on the elongation at break. On the contrary, the hybrid stacking sequence offered a great influence on both the elastic modulus and the tensile strength.