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 |
Identification of Optimal Processing Parameters for Defect Minimization in Agave/Epoxy Composites Manufactured from Vacuum-Assisted Resin Infusion |
Author(s) |
Naina Makkad, Roberto Acevedo Fierros, Marlen Navarro, Alvaro Jesus Mendoza Jasso, Paulina Diaz-Montiel |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Naina Makkad |
Abstract Scope |
Natural fiber composites are an increasingly popular cost-effective and biodegradable alternative to synthetic materials. Agave fibers are often discarded and burned following their use during mezcal production. Discarded fibers can be utilized to create lightweight and flexible composites to support sustainable solutions in engineering. Yet, some of the challenges of using agave fiber composites in load-bearing applications are the high mechanical property variations, which is partly explained with the process-induced defects.
This study presents a detailed investigation of the manufacturing of agave/epoxy composites via vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) and the associated defects. The composites considered long and discontinuous agave fibers that were subjected to alkali and heat treatments before infusion. A sensitivity study is conducted to identify the optimum VARI parameters that minimize defects, including location for resin inlet, position of fibers on infusion table, and infusion time and pressure. A detailed characterization of the induced defects via optical microscopy and SEM imaging is presented. Composite coupons are subjected to mechanical testing to evaluate tensile strength and stiffness property variations.
Preliminary results showed that the void volume fraction in agave/epoxy composites is highly influenced by the infusion time and pressure, and the position of the fibers relative to the resin inlet. Entrapped air and resin-rich regions are also common defects observed in these composites. Finding the optimal processing parameters for manufacturing from VARI will provide insight to the feasibility of this method in manufacturing agave fiber composites and the influence of the processing defects on the mechanical properties. |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Definite: Post-meeting proceedings |