Volumetric Interaction and Material Characterization of Flax/Furan Bio-composites

Abstract

This paper deals with the characterization of a green composite, made of flax fibers and a bio-derived furan

resin. It is shown that the porosity within the composite, which is determined by various parameters, adversely

influences the mechanical performance as well as the water absorption behavior of the material. Since the furan

resin induces a large amount of porosity during curing due to its foaming characteristic, the aim of this study is

to find a method in order to minimize this so-called structural porosity. Therefore it is paid special attention to

the conversion between weight and volume fractions and the volumetric interaction of the constituent phases.

A model is applied in order to predict and minimize the porosity content in the composite.