ROOM TEMPERATURE CURING OF BIO-BASED RESINS AND PREPARATION OF THEIR COMPOSITES

Abstract: In today’s world the significance of bio-based materials are increasing rapidly because ofthe environmental concern. Material scientists are nowadays engaged in development ofsuch materials which have natural origin and degrade in its environment. Several workshave already been reported in area of thermoplastic biocomposites. However biocompositesbased on thermosets is comparatively new area of research. In this work biobasedcomposites have been developed from two different bio-based thermoset resins.The main objective of the work was room temperature curing of poly lactic acid basedresin (POLLIT™) and AESO, acrylated epoxidized soy-bean oil (TRIBEST®). These tworesin systems were impregnated with different natural fibre mats. Cure behavior wascharacterized by means of DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimeter) and results showsthat the resins have been cured at room temperature. The mechanical properties ofprepared composites were assessed by the means of flexural testing and charpy impacttesting. The viability of using these composites in structural applications are also beendiscussed.