Durability of flax/bio-based epoxy composites intended for structural strengthening

Environmentally friendly FRP composites, made of natural fibres and bio-based polymer matrices, may be used as externally bonded reinforcement for civil structures or buildings subjected to moderate outdoor conditions, in replacement of traditional carbon/epoxy systems. However, a major drawback of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:MATEC web of conferences 2018-01, Vol.199, p.7014
Main Authors: Benzarti, Karim, Chlela, Robert, Zombré, Wendlamita, Quiertant, Marc, Curtil, Laurence
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adhesive bonding
Aging (natural)
Biopolymers
Concrete
Concrete properties
Concrete slabs
Differential scanning calorimetry
Engineering Sciences
Flax
Glass transition temperature
Hand lay-up
Laminates
Mechanical properties
Moisture effects
Physics
Pull off tests
Shear tests
Tensile tests
Textile composites
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Summary:Environmentally friendly FRP composites, made of natural fibres and bio-based polymer matrices, may be used as externally bonded reinforcement for civil structures or buildings subjected to moderate outdoor conditions, in replacement of traditional carbon/epoxy systems. However, a major drawback of natural fibers is their sensitivity to moisture, which can affect both the mechanical properties of FRP composites and their adhesive bond with concrete. This research, funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR Project MICRO), aims at studying the influence of hygrothermal ageing on the performances of “green composites” manufactured by hand lay-up process using unidirectional flax fabrics and a bio-based epoxy matrix. The test program consists in subjecting FRP laminates and FRP strengthened concrete slabs to accelerated ageing conditions under various combinations of temperature and humidity. Aged laminates are then periodically characterized by tensile tests and interlaminar shear tests, while the bond properties of concrete/composite assemblies are assessed by pull-off tests. This paper presents the first results of this ongoing program which is scheduled over a period of 2 years. Results are discussed in the light of complementary investigations (water sorption behaviour, microscopic observations and evaluation of the glass transition temperature by differential scanning calorimetry – DSC) in order to relate observed performance evolutions to actual microstructural changes or damage processes taking place in the material.
ISSN:2261-236X
2274-7214
2261-236X
DOI:10.1051/matecconf/201819907014