Low-cost, environmentally friendly route for producing CFRP laminates with microfibrillated cellulose interphase
B. E. B. Uribe, E. M. S. Chiromito, A. J. F. Carvalho, J. R. Tarpani
Vol. 11., No.1., Pages 47-59, 2017
DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2017.6
DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2017.6
Corresponding author: B. E. B. Uribe 
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
In this paper, a cost-effective and eco-friendly method to improve mechanical performance in continuous carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) matrix composites is presented. Unsized fiber fabric preforms are coated with self-assembling sugarcane bagasse microfibrillated cellulose, and undergo vacuum-assisted liquid epoxy resin infusion to produce solid laminates after curing at ambient temperature. Quasi-static tensile, flexural and short beam testing at room temperature indicated that the stiffness, ultimate strength and toughness at ultimate load of the brand-new two-level hierarchical composite are substantially higher than in baseline, unsized fiber-reinforced epoxy laminate. Atomic force microscopy for height and phase imaging, along with scanning electron microscopy for the fracture surface survey, revealed a 400 nm-thick fiber/matrix interphase wherein microfibrillated cellulose exerts strengthening and toughening roles in the hybrid laminate. Market expansion of this class of continuous fiber-reinforced-polymer matrix composites exhibiting remarkable mechanical performance/cost ratios is thus conceivable.
