Interpenetrating Vinylester/Epoxy Resins Reinforced by Flax Fibre Mat

Abstract

Vinylester/epoxy (VE/EP) hybrid resins of interpenetrating network (IPN) structure were reinforced by needled flax fibre mat. The flax content of the composites was kept constant (20 wt%) whereas the VE/EP ratio varied (70/30, 50/50, and 30/70). The mechanical properties of the composites, produced by resin transfer moulding, were determined in tensile and flexural loading. The mechanical anisotropy detected was traced to the orientation of the flax fibres during carding. The higher was the VE content of the hybrid IPN resin the better the mechanical performance was.