Mechanical Properties Evaluation of a Recycled Flax Fiber-reinforced Vinyl Ester.

Flax fiber-vinyl ester composites are milled and mixed with virgin matrices to produce recycled composites. The effect of this powder incorporation on the mechanical properties of a thermosetting matrix (vinyl ester) and a thermoplastic matrix (polypropylene) is studied. In the case of thermosetting matrix, flexural and tensile strength decrease with the addition of powder. For filler contents higher than 50 vol%, the strength reaches a constant value. Flexural and Young's moduli remain constant for different powder contents. In the case of thermoplastic matrix, strength and modulus decrease when powder is replaced by fibers. Both, fibers and powder act as reinforcement as moduli increase. Impact properties are improved with the addition of powder and fibers in comparison with the pure matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]