Tensile and compressive properties of flax-plain weave preform reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract

In this article, plain weave flax fabric-reinforced epoxy composites are investigated experimentally for their tensile and compressive properties. The effect of number of preform layers and the effect of lay-up architecture on the above-mentioned properties are also studied. The composite laminates were processed by hand lay-up technique using 2 and 4 mm thick spacers and cured under pressure of 3 bar for 2 hour at 50°C, followed by post curing in an oven at 120°C for 1 h. Specimen preparation and testing were carried out as per ASTM standards. Mechanical data obtained showed that the main parameter governing the tensile properties of the woven preform composites was the flax volume fraction parallel to the direction of the tensile axis. However, the proportion of matrix seems to influence the compressive behaviour. Further, with the increase in number of preform layers the compressive properties improve whereas, the tensile behaviour deteriorates across all combinations considered in this study.