Lightweight composites are of great interest to the automotive industry due to their positive impact on fuel economy and environmental benefits. Use of natural fibers as a possible alternative to glass reinforcements offers many advantages for both thermoplastic and thermoset composites. Natural fibers are lightweight, cost competitive, as well as an environmentally friendly material. This study explores the potential of using these novel fibers in sheet molding compounds (SMC) for potential automotive applications. Preliminary results from our laboratory indicate that some natural fiber reinforced vinyl ester SMC offer comparable mechanical properties to traditional glass reinforced SMC. Mechanical properties were analyzed for non-woven hemp mats with PET binder, hemp twines, and hybrids of glass and hemp fibers (both in mat and twine form) in a vinyl ester matrix, using standard ASTM methods. The effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties was evaluated using a humidity chamber at elevated temperature and relative humidity as well as full immersion in a room temperature water bath. Samples were exposed for various time periods before tensile and compression tests were performed. Preliminary findings show an increase in the rate of water absorption and equilibrium moisture content for natural fibers relative to glass fibers. As-molded samples that were immersed in water for 24 hours absorbed 9 times more water than those that were sealed with a UV coating.
Light-weight alternative reinforcements for automotive thermosets
2005
14 Seiten, 4 Quellen
Conference paper
English
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