Abstract
The interest in natural fibre composites as load-bearing elements has increased strongly in recent years. As natural fibres offer good biodegradability, strong reinforcement and low production costs, some industry sectors have started to substitute conventionally used materials. One excellent example for natural reinforcements is curaua fibres. Regardless, the use of natural fibres in prepregs is still in its infancy, the manufacturing parameters need to be analysed. For this reason, the amount of curing agent, fibre treatment and filler amount of curaua fibre/epoxy prepreg are tested in this research. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques were used for analysis. The compared material properties were the degree of crosslinking and the degradation stability. The results were analysed with a statistical comparison method (a factorial experimental design), which revealed a complex relationship of the influencing parameters on the thermal properties of the prepregs.
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