Introducing cellulose nanocrystals in sheet molding compounds (SMC)
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2016, European Conference on Composite Materials, ECCM. All rights reserved. Sustainability and high specific modulus and strength characteristics of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) make these materials an attractive candidate for reinforcement in polymers and polymer matrix composites. In this study, CNC was incorporated in short glass fiber/epoxy composites made using sheet molding compound (SMC) line with processing parameters similar to those used within the industrial sized production lines in automotive industries. CNC in the form of freeze-dried were dispersed in the hardener and, the hardener-CNC suspension was mixed with the epoxy to produce the resin for the SMC production. Viscometry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses showed that the presence of CNC slightly increased the viscosity of the resin; however, it did not alter the curing temperature, time and pot life of the resin to be used in the SMC production. In addition, it was found that the tensile, flexural and impact properties of the composites with CNC increased with respect to those of composites with no CNC. In conclusion, the presence of CNC in the resin modified the matrix of the composite resulting in improvement of the mechanical and impact performance of the corresponding composites, enlightening the path forward to produce light weighted SMC composites with enhanced thermo-mechanical properties.
