The use of bioresin composites created with five different vegetable oils such as soybean oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil in the automotive industry

Abstract In this study, novel bioresin was prepared together with epoxy resin with five different plant oils such as soybean oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, and flaxseed oil. The samples were formed by adding jute/flax intraply fiber to the bioresin formed by adding these vegetable oils to the epoxy at 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. While producing these composites, vacuum assisted resin transfer molding method was preferred. Tensile, flexural, impact test, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analysis were applied to samples. Moreover, fiber behavior and delamination of composites were examined by morphological analysis. Tensile test outcomes showed cottonseed oil with 40% oil additive and canola oil with 10% oil addition gave higher strength values to the pure epoxy sample. In the impact test, samples with 20% oil added had an average of 2.7–3.44 times higher absorbed energy. Thermal analysis results indicated 10% and 20% oil addition to epoxy raised the glass transition temperature by an average of 6.65–18.6°C and lowered the decomposition temperatures by 11–24°C. These samples, created by adding vegetable oil to the epoxy without chemical treatment, give the composites considerable elasticity and will be used in areas such as the automotive, construction and aerospace industries. Highlights Adding plant oil to epoxy creates sustainable and environmentally composite. The usage of plant oils will reduce dependence on petroleum‐based epoxy. The use of plant oil will further pave the way for green composites. Elasticity and energy absorption characteristics of the material are improved. Elongation percent and glass transition temperature of the material improved.