Abstract
Natural-fibre-mat-reinforced thermoplastics (NMTs) based on flax fibres and a polypropylene (PP) matrix were manufactured using a film-stacking method. The influence of fibre content on stiffness and strength is reported and compared with data for glass-mat-reinforced-thermoplastics (GMTs), including the influence of improved fibre/matrix adhesion as a result of the use of maleic-anhydride grafted PP. Additionally, unidirectional and random-flax-mat composites based on epoxy resin were manufactured as reference materials. Results indicated that NMTs are of interest for low cost engineering applications, especially when a high stiffness per unit weight is desirable
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 81-85 |
Journal | Advanced Composites Letters |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - 1996 |