| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 ASC Technical Conference, US-Japan Joint Symposium, D30 Meeting
|
| Symposium
|
2024 ASC Technical Conference, US-Japan Joint Symposium, D30 Meeting
|
| Presentation Title |
Bio-Based Epoxy Natural Fiber Composites for Marine Energy Harvesting |
| Author(s) |
Shahriar Chowdhury, Oluwatimilehin Oluwajire, Landon Grace |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Shahriar Chowdhury |
| Abstract Scope |
Marine energy potential across US coasts depends on technologies such as turbine blades, which rely heavily on composite materials. These materials must be able to survive the physical and environmental damage resulting from the harsh marine environment. In this study, we discuss the performance of a bio-based epoxy resin combined with North Carolina-grown natural fibers to fabricate composite panels for structural and functional marine applications. The resin is made from bio-based monomers with minimal chemical waste and a very low curing temperature (100–200 °C). Three different approaches to making the resin from DGMeOHQ were explored: acid (CYCAT)-catalyzed epoxy-phenol, base (PPh3)-catalyzed epoxy-phenol, and isophorone diamine (IPDA)-hardener. Thermal and tensile properties were tested for both epoxy films and composite panels. The panels made using IPDA hardener demonstrated better results overall.
Composite panels of larger dimensions with scaled-up amounts of resin were fabricated using a special mold and heat press for curing. Separate panels were made using combinations of the bio-based resin with flax fiber, the bio-based resin with commercial glass fiber, and commercial prepregs for comparison. These panels were cut into specimens for testing according to ASTM standards, with one batch undergoing moisture submersion before testing. Results show that the bio-based epoxy system exhibits superior after-cure thermo-mechanical properties compared to petroleum-based epoxy systems. The results from the study provide a foundation for the use of completely bio-based composites for marine applications with recycling and upcycling potential. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Definite: Post-meeting proceedings |