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

Abstract

The effect of recycled powder incorporation on the mechanical properties of the thermosetting matrix (vinylester) and thermoplastic matrix (polypropylene) was studied. In the case of thermosetting matrix, flexural and tensile strength decreased with the adittion of powder filler contents highers than 50% the strength reaches a constant value. In the case of thermoplastic matrix, strength and modulus decreased when powder reemplaced fibers. Both, fibers and powder act as reinforcemnet because modulus increased.Impact properties were improved with the addition of powder and fibers in comparisson with the pure matrix.