Plant oils were chemically polymerized and reinforced with plant fibers such as flax andwood cellulose and used to manufacture structural panels with a foam core for housingapplications. Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process was used tomake composite panels from plant oil and the different available natural fibers. Soybeanbased resin (Acrylated, Epoxidized Soybean Oil (AESO)) is the most common plant oilthat was used and cured at room temperature. The composites were physically andmechanically tested and it was found that natural fiber reinforcement of 20 to 50 fiberweight fraction of this resin increases the flexural modulus to about 5 Gpa depending onthe fiber nature. The same resin reinforced with woven E-glass fiber was also tested andgave a flexural modulus of 17 Gpa, while a room temperature curing of the neat resingave a flexural modulus of just over 1 Gpa. These composites were also found to behavenormally at elevated temperatures.Using this type of composite in building and automotive construction introduces greatadvantages such as high strength and stiffness to weight, survivability in severe weatherconditions, fatigue resistance, noise suppression and design flexibility (3-dimensionalformed, easy to install and structure replacement).
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