Mechanical properties of epoxidized hemp oil based biocomposites: preliminary results

Abstract

Vegetable oils or plant-oils are a sustainable, renewable resource able to be used for the production of bioresins. Oils with high levels of unsaturated fatty acids are used in the production of bio-based epoxy resins for use in biocomposite applications. A novel hemp oil based bioresin, epoxidized hemp oil (EHO) was synthesised at the Centre of Excellence in Engineered Fibre Composites (CEEFC). Biocomposite samples were manufactured from EHO and commercial epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) (for comparison purposes) blended with an amine cured synthetic epoxy resin. Untreated jute matting was used as the fibre reinforcement. Tensile, flexural and impact properties were compared for EHO/epoxy and commercial ESO/epoxy, jute biocomposites. Both EHO and ESO functioned as tougheners to the commercial synthetic epoxy resin. Biocomposite samples containing EHO displayed superior mechanical properties than samples containing ESO. It was found that ESO quantities up until 10-20% and EHO quantities up until 30% compared favourably with the commercial synthetic epoxy resin. This comparable performance is attributed to enhanced fibre-matrix adhesion of EHO/ESO and the jute fibres. Overall the results of this preliminary research demonstrate that EHO is an excellent bioresin for use in biocomposite applications, with mechanical properties being comparable to commercial synthetic epoxy (up to 30% EHO content) and superior to commercial ESO across the data range.