Estudio de la influencia de la presión en las propiedades mecánicas y morfológicas en compuestos reforzados con fibras naturales

Beside the material composition of prepregs and the general processing parameters temperature and time, pressure plays in the manufacturing process a decisive role for the quality of structures made of natural fiber reinforced polymers. Molding will usually take place at lower pressure if the isolating properties of the composites (acoustic damping and thermal insulation) are of great importance. High pressures are used if emphasis is placed on the mechanical properties. Nevertheless, it must be taken into account that by increasing the press capacity not only higher values of tensile and flexural properties are recognized but also the structure of the fibers could be damaged and consequently a negative effect on the mechanical properties. Within this work the dependence of the mechanical properties of a natural fiber reinforced composite on the process pressure has been studied. This study includes not only the determination of the mechanical properties of the composites but also an extensive and detailed Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) investigation of the fiber damage. The target of this study is the optimization of the complete manufacturing process.