Effect of manufacturing process on the flexural, fracture toughness, and thermo-mechanical properties of bio-composites

This study evaluated the performance of jute reinforced polyester bio-composites cured with an out-of-autoclave curing process, Quickstep™. The mode I fracture toughness (GIc), flexural, and thermo-mechanical properties of the composites were measured for cure cycle times of 5, 30, 60 and 90 min at an optimum cure temperature of 95 °C, and were compared to a reference composite laminate cured at room temperature. Generally, the Quickstep process was found to improve the degree of cure by up to 55% and the resistance to crack propagation of the resulting composites was found to be more stable. A balance in properties was obtained after 30 min of cure where an improvement in thermo-mechanical and fracture properties was observed, but on the other hand, was accompanied by a decrease in flexural strength and modulus compared to the reference sample. Shorter (i.e. 5 min) and longer cure cycle times (above 30 min) used by the Quickstep were found to be detrimental to the properties of the resulting composites.